117 Moray Street, corner York Street, South Melbourne
MEL: 2F D12
First licensed by John Reidy in 1867, the Maori Chief Hotel, whose name
probably derives from an association with Maori groups who visited Melbourne in 1863 and 1866,
was taken over by John Reidy’s widow Johanna (Walsh) Reidy after his death in
1878.The hotel stayed within the family
for several years: in 1885, the license was transferred to Johanna’s new
husband, a Scot named Andrew Black, and eventually to Johanna’s brother-in-law
Peter Campbell and sister, Mary Campbell.
The original 1867 building was replaced in 1875
according to the design specifications of architect M Hennessy who had also
designed the Meagher’s Family Hotel (now Palace) and Freer’s Family Hotel (now
Bell’s).It has remained an architectural landmark in
South Melbourne, both for its
dominance over the corner on which it stands (tall, three storeyed, relatively
narrow) and the high quality of its detailing.A huge painting of a Maori Chief sits above the entrance to the
hotel.There are meals available in the
comfortable back room with old couches and crocheted rugs, while the front bar
contains a pool table and television screens.
