Cosmopolitan Hotel
The Cosmopolitan Hotel
Chee Jour Ngee Hotel, Ah Chee established the legendary Hotel in German Rabaul.
The corner of Casurina Ave and Kamarere St (later to become the Cosmopolitan Hotel)
The Cosmopolitan Hotel Rabaul was originally the Ah Chee Hotel the owner naturally being Ah Chee the Father of a person we all knew and respected Chin Hoi Meen the well-known photographer. Built during the German possession of Rabaul. Thisbring first hotel erected built in 1911, In the early 1920's the Ah Chee Hotel was sold to a European plantation owner and renamed the Cosmopolitan Hotel because it was the meeting place of different races.
At the time of the Japanese occupation it was used as a brothel a brothel and housing for the comfort women. Owing to consistent bombing by the allied forces the town was totally destroyed,the Surrender of the Japanese forces saw the return of Australian troops to Rabaul.
The Cosmo was built by Bill Harry and in 1947 Miss Dorothy Stewart was manageress of the Cosmopolitan Hotel,
Rabaul in that period of time Norman W Lee was the Owner of The Cosmopolitan Hotel Rabaul in the 50’s
Norman W Lee
the Cosmopolitan Hotel as it stood in the 1930's
The Cosmopolitan Hotel as it stood in the looking down Casurina Ave stand at the intersection of Casurina Ave and Kamarere St 1942 before the Japanese invasion and occupation of Rabaul .One of the main components of Lark Force arrived in Rabaul appropriately on Anzac Day, 25 April 1942. The Australiansenjoyed the sight of the deep, almost enclosedharbour and the spectacular volcanic conesof Tavurvur, Mother, North Daughter, South Daughter and Vulcan: the exotic smell of wet tropics, copra and sulphur from the smoking Tavurvur; exploring the shaded tree-linedcstreets and gracious colonial buildings, somecbuilt by the first colonial power, the Germans;clooking for bargains in Chinatown or the bung (the market); and taking a drink at the Cosmopolitan or Rabaul hotels, or even the exclusive Rabaul Club. The Cosmo I knew was a large sprawling single storied building with the main entrance facing the west towards the Mother (being a volcano) and the township, the front area was a large car park, the building itself was a large sprawling one story formation The entrance let to a long concrete passageway which ran for around 60 feet to the right on entering was the receptions office and to the left was the walkway to the rooms . The rooms had eight on one side going down to the bathrooms and toilets at the end the parallel side also had eight rooms leading back to the lounge bar. The Dining area was the centre was cordoned off by a balustrade running from the office to the passage way at the lounge bar.The lounge consisted of cane lounge suits and singular cane lounge chairs, this was a very popular spot when the bars closed and the area was served through a barlet for after hours
Author of 'Tales of the South Pacific,' James Michener, stayed at the Cosmopolitan Hotel, Rabaul, when Miss Stewart was managing it. 'He was a very quiet, reserved man, tall, and rather thick-set. He didn't talk much about his work, but spent most of his time at the typewriter,' said Miss Stewart. He was at that time working on his third novel, 'Return to Paradise,' in which he made reference to Miss Stewart.
Courier-Mail (Brisbane, Qld. : 1933 - 1954), Wednesday 9 June 1954, page 10
Coming in the main entrance dining area on the right
The Cosmopolitan Hotel veranda looked over the beer garden and Simpson Harbour
Probably about all that is left a glass sold on E Bay
The Public bar facing Kamarere St
DOUBLE CLICK ON IMAGE TO ENLARGE
The vast beer gardens were always very popular on Friday Nights after work, Saturday& Sundays the House wind gave a cool breeze coming across Cleland Drive off the Harbour.
The House wind sitting outside with sea breeze coming of the Harbour was an enjoyable time
The Cosmo over the years hosted many parties and the occasional wedding most held outside under the kunai house wind , the way of life revolved around the beer garden .It was a place I worked part time and enjoyed working with the owner of the day
Part of the Grounds Cosmopolitan (1948)
one the many uses for deactivated; bombs
The Cosmopolitan car Park the accommodation and saloon bar is at the left side of the building the public bar was to the right near the jeeps also the entrance to the Beer Garden was beyond the trees to the extreme right (1948)
Even the most ardent souvenir-hunter is apt to receive something of a shock when he visits the Cosmopolitan Hotel at Rabaul. Possibly nowhere else in the world will he see what were formerly Japanese steel helmets used as flower pots, graced with feathery tropical ferns;oxygen bottles painted white and laid bottom up to form neat palisades for driveways or 25-pounder shell cases glistening with polish and housing exotic flowering shrubs.
No Drunks Up North
SYDNEY: In New Guinea, where hotels and clubs are open from 7 a.m. until 11 p.m., drunkenness is unheard of, according to an N.G. publican.
Mr. Norman W. Lee
owns the Cosmopolitan Hotel at Rabaul. He is visiting Sydney on business. He said that New Guinea has six hotels and 23 licensed clubs. Their trading hours, as set down by the administration, are 7 a.m.-ll p.m., Monday to Saturday; noon 1p.m. and 5.30-7 p.m., Sun days. Mr Lee said that in the past four years, a police charge of drunkenness was made only on one occasion, and that was then a for eign ship was in port. 'We have only bottled beer for sale, so drinkers cannot have just one glass as they can in Sydney, where beer is on tap,' Mr. Lee said. 'Nevertheless, they have all day in which to . drink it. 'New Guinea hotels average about half the custom era of a Sydney suburban hotel and their clientele consists of Europeans and Asiatic's. .
Newcastle Sun (NSW : 1918 - 1954), Wednesday 17 March 1954, page 18
Drink Law Relaxed For Natives In N.G.
Legislation to allow Papuans and New Guineans to drink alcohol will be introduced into the Territory's Legislative Council 0n Tuesday. The legislation will permit the indigenous people to drink any type of alcoholic liquor on licensed premises and at genuine social events. The interim legislation also permits them to remove beer from licensed premises. The legislation will prohibit the advertising of liquor. These provisions have been included in the interim legislation on the recommendation of a commission of inquiry set up by the Administrator.
Gradual
The Minister for Territories, Mr. Hasluck, said yesterday the partial relaxation of prohibition was in agree ment with the wishes of many Papuan and New Guinea witnesses who had asked that liquor should be introduced gradually. The interim legislation was expected to give the Administration time to consider the best way of putting into operation the commission's other recommendations. The commissioners of the inquiry were Judge F. R. Nelson, a country court judge from Victoria, a magistrate, a New Guinean and a Papuan, two missionaries and a welfare officer. The commissioners recommended a total removal of the prohibition, but the Acting Administrator, Doctor J. T. Gunther, wants a more de tailed examination of its contents. Dr. Gunther made clear the commission did not want the demand for liquor to be stimulated in the transition period. He said the Minister had agreed to the Administration giving financial and other ,help toward promoting temperance education.
LIQUOR PROHIBITION IN NEW GUINEA. MELBOURNE,
April 1 Next week some developments in connection with the control of British New Guinea may be expected to take place. Mi. Musgrove. C.M.G. Colonial . secretary of British New Guinea, has arrived in Melbourne. and has had a conference with the Secretary of External Affairs. Mr. Musgrove confirmed verbally his report on the proposal to institute liquor prohibition in New Guinea. He adhered to his view that such a prohibition was quite unnecessary. For the natives concerned the legislation under local ordinances was quite sufficient to keep strong drink from the blacks. In fact, Mr Musgrove says the latter have neither taste for alcohol nor means of obtaining it. They have a practically innocent drink of their own.
Kalgoorlie Western Argus 5 April 1904
Corner of Cleland Dr and Atarr St the area where the Cosmopolitan stood from 1945 post 1994 eruption
