THE NEW GISBORNE HOTEL.

Gisborne Times, Volume VII, Issue 412, 10 May 1902, Page 2

THE NEW GISBORNE HOTEL.

A MAGNIFICENT BUILDING,

TO BE OPENED TO-DAY,

“ One of the best designed hotels in the ciiony,” is the general verdict of the hundreds of persons who yesterday visited the Gisborne Hotel, and the popular proprietor, Mr J. H. Martm, was complimented upon all sides on the enterprise he has displayed in erecting such a handsome building. The hotel is a credit to the town, and its pleasant situation should command for ir, a large share of the support ol the travelling public. Nothing has been left undone by Mr Martin which would ‘in the slightest degree lend to the comfort of visitors, and the hotel may he said to be complete in every detail. The main private entrance is from Childers road, and the visitor from the moment lie steps into the hall is greatly impressed with the surroundings. The vestibule has had great attention paid to it from the decorative point of view, and tne general mush in the matter of furnishing lias oesn most complete. From the hall on the left through folding doors one enters the dining room—a large, lofty, welll.ghted, and well-ventilated apartment, capable of seating from seventy to eighty persons. Upon the occasion c! our visit six or seven tables were laid for dinner, and everything being quite new the effect was very bright gnd pleasing. Each table was laid to accommodate from eight to ten persons, and there was not the sbghfest overcrowding in any way. At night, with its splendid furnishings i,he room presented a brilliant appearance, Oii the left hand side of the hall a large commercial room beautifully furnished. This apartment is well-lighted and ventilated, and is certainly one of the best rooms of the kind we have seen in colonial hotels.,

A feature of the hotel from a family point of view is that the bar is quite apart from the private entrance, and everything else is in keeping, the building throughout having been constructed with a view of catering for the commercial, family, and tourist trade. There is a handsome and ornamental staircase leading from the private entrance to the second floor, the stairs being "beautifully carpeted. The drawing-room is exquisitely furnished, as also are the several sitting rooms, smoking and card rooms. The grates in each room are most artistically tiled, and the hnish of each apartment has been carried out on a most elaborate scale. The main passages upstairs are wide and lofty and in accord with the general design of the house. There are upwards of twentyfive bedrooms, the majority being single rooms, and all have been furnished jn a most tasteful manner, The rooms are beautifully lighted and ventilated, and in every way are as good as are to be found in any colonial hotel. 4. good deal of money has been devoted to the purposes of a balcony, and the view on either side is most charming. Although within a hundred yards of Gladstone road, the hotel may practically be said to be out of town, and at the Gisborne Hotel visitors can rely on obtaining all the comforts of a home. The question of sanitation has been studied in every possible way, and a ruu through the hotel is an eye-opener to the uninitiated as to the improvements that have been effected in this direction. Every device that modern science has revealed has been called into requisition, and no expense has been spared to make the hotel one of the most up-to-date in New Zealand. The downstairs portion of the hote) facing Lowe street has been devoted to the purposes of public and private bars, and, a billiard-room. The public bar has three entrance*, ah<?- everything connected with it in the way'of furnishings is of a firstclass character. There is an excellent cellar, roomy, and beautifully concreted, whilst all other appointments are in keeping. Jhe billiard room is a large and well-lighted apartment, and is supplied with one of Alfcock's pept tables. Adjoining the billiard-room, and with private entrance from Lowe street, is the private bar of the hotel, and it is certainly one of the finest we have seop. The bar is fitted up on most modern lines, and presents a most attractive appearance. The house is lighted throughout with incandescent burners, the arrangements in regard to the same being carried out by the the Gisborne Gas Company. A plentiful supply of water is obtained from an 8000 gallon concrete tank, and is distributed through the house by means of a force pump. The bath rooms are thoroughly up to date, being supplied with hot and cold water, shower, etc. The | outbuilding;, like the hotel itself, are in every way complete, and no fault can be I found"with ahythingi''Viewed in whatj ever point it may be, the hotel \vill bear the closest inspection, and it reflects great credit upon the architect, Mr .J. Quig- ; ley. The contractors were Messrs Mack- ; rell and Colley, and the excellent manner j in which they have done their work should not only insure satisfaction to the owner, Mr J. Martin, but also meet with approbation from the Licensing Committee. The plumbing and painting work was admirably done by Mr F. Hall, whilst the furnishing of the hotel was carried out by Messrs Townley and Whinray. Mr Martin is to be complimented upon the enterprise displayed in regard to the erection of the handsome building, which nojv adorns the corner of Childers Load and Lowe street, and praise is also due to Mrs Martin for the excellent taste shown in the matter of furnishing. No expense has been spared in regard to both matters, and we feel sure that the popular proprietor will be recompensed for his outlay.. The hotel will be opened for business this morning