10 Church St
opposite The Old Bank
Spy tiny lions on the 1892 Empire Hotel extension
The lions ... “king of beasts” were use by the British Empire as a symbol to represent courage, bravery, ferocity and strength. Maybe it also promoted fear, respect and unity. By 1913 the Empire covered 24% of the Earth's land.
Opposite The Old Bank, is part of the old Empire Hotel. Before this building, Mr D. Munro had a furniture store and workshop here - the spot where 1868 fire started. The British Empire used lions as a symbol to represent courage, bravery, ferocity and strength. By 1913 the British Empire held the sway of 23% of the world’s population and covered 24% of the Earth's land. In 1907 the NZ colony ceased and became a dominion six years after deciding not to join the Australian federation. The first Dominion Day, 26 September 1907, was a holiday for public servants and is still a public holiday for South Canterbury.