Built in 1851 by Edward Constable, who emigrated from Maidstone, Kent in England, the Kentish Hotel is possibly the most famous established watering hole in the Franklin area, namely Waiuku. Granted to sell liquor in 1853, the pub can lay claim to having the longest running liquor license in New Zealand.
The Kentish Hotel has certainly stood the test of time. In 1926, the hotel narrowly escaped being nearly burned to the ground when a fire engulfed a few wooden buildings nearby. As wind fuelled the flames, many of the locals jumped into action pouring water and throwing wet sheets across the Kentish’s facade, saving most of the building from significant damage.
However, this much loved local pub holds a little more than the standard drinkable bar spirits. The alleged spectral resident is thought to a woman named Kate. She has been spotted from time to time by staff and patrons. The story goes that Kate was caught cheating on her sailor husband and was killed upstairs in Room 10.
I work behind the bar at the kentish and I’ve had glasses seemingly “jump” off the shelf with no explanation at all. Kate is still well and truely alive at the Kentish restraunt bar and hotel.
I’ve seen Kate, she saw me too and closed the curtain, I was out on the road, she in a first floor room facing the museum. Young woman, Victorian style white dress.