On 26 June 1924 the sixteen-room Waitotara Hotel was destroyed in a blaze that began about 10.00 pm. Fortunately, a strong northerly wind saved the township itself from any damage.
Work began on a replacement hotel (above) in October 1924, designed by Whanganui architect, Thomas James. The hotel was expected to be finished by March 1925 and while construction was taking place the lessee of the hotel, Joseph Mills, was granted permission to carry on business in temporary premises.
An advertisement in the Hawera Star on 6 February 1925 invited tenders for a three year lease on the new hotel, and described it as "...a new brick building, containing kitchen, scullery, storeroom, dining, commercial and two sitting rooms, public and private bar, six single bedrooms (each with two beds), three double bedrooms, sitting room, bathroom, etc. and three staff rooms outside."
The hotel now serves as a dairy and post office as well as being the town's only pub.
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