PROGRESS ON THE COAST.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVI, Issue 2295, 14 September 1908, Page 3

PROGRESS ON THE COAST.

OPENING OF NEW PAKARAE HOTEL. Something wna happening at Pakarao on Saturday. The calm and serenity which usually /prevails U|t this particular coastal resort was replaced by an unwonted air of animation and activity. From north and south, from every coastal towmship, and many wayback stations, vehicles of divors descriptions, horsemen in regimonts, and not a few pedestrians, throughout the beautifully sunny .afternoon, converged on Pakaruo, which was tho rendezvous alike of Gisborne’s leading business magnates and tho sturdy squatters and station-owners of tho far-famed East Coast.

Mr. J. R. Shaw, tho popular proprietor of tho l’akarno Hotel, was responsible for this gathering of the clans, and it was in response to invitations to bo present at tho opening of his new hotel that so many wont pouring forward with impetuous speed. ' . After -nino years’ sojourn in tho old hotel building, the rapidly increasing traffic on tho Coast rendered it imperative that liioro accommodation should bo provided. Air. Shaw is not. a man to do things by halves, anil lio decided to erect a now building which would supply evory modern convenience, and bo -nliko a credit to the district and the owner. Air. Shaw’s long experience in tho trndo enabled him to know exactly what was wanted' in tho way of comfort and convenience, and to ensure his ideals being faithfully carried out lie entrusted the designing and erection in thoroughly capable hands. The new hotel is a handsome twostorov building, with a spacious verandah running tho wholo length of the front and right-hand side. The entraneo loads into a fine hall, ift Gin wide, finished wit'll fino fibrous plaster, brackets, and centre flower. Among tlio decorations in the hail are a most interesting collection of native weapons from the' (Solomon Islands. Tho sitting-room (19ft x lift), is elaborately furnished in artistic and tasteful style. A regulation size bil-liard-room, containing a three-quar-ter size Alcoek tabic, provides means of indoor amusement, and was liberally patronised on." Saturday evening. The public bar (19ft x 13ft). bar parlor (15ft x 12ft), and office (15ft x Oft), adjoin each other, and are renleto with every modern convenience. The kitchen, scullery, storeroom, a bath room, and three bedrooms arc also on tho ground floor. A spacious staircase leads to tho upper floor, which contains sixteen light and airy bedrooms, a bathroom, and ladies sitting-room, the furnished luxuriously. A sft balcony runs along tho front and north side, •from which a glorious panorama of tho waters of the blue Pacific is obtainable. On this balcony convalescents could tako life-giving sunbaths and' deep dm lights of ozone which would almost restore dead men to life. A feature of t'lio building is the adequate provision which has been made for eseapo from every room in the case of fire. Tho watersupply is obtained from a pure spring well, high up on the hillside -about half-a-niile from the honso from which a continuous stream of purest water comes down by forco of gravitation. The supply is regulated by a ball cock in the tank, and reticulates throughout the house and grounds. The dr-linage has received the careful attention of the architects, being provided with- a septic tank which discharges into the river. The building is lighted' throughput by acetylene 'as, tlip work of installation having ieen satisfactorily carried out by Air. Harold' Warren. Tlio larch ite-cte were Alessrs Wilson and Lilley, and tliev have given the latest expression in hotel building for convenience, comfort, and design, and the excellence of the plans reflect 'highly on their professional ability. Alessrs Evans, Nield and Co. were the contractors, and they have faithfully carried out tho work in every detail. Alessrs Wade and Gray, the plumbers, and Air. Jas. Alorrison, the.painter, have also conscientiously carried out their duties, and their work reflects the highest credit on them. In the evening a most enjoyable dance, which was largely attended, was held in the wooished. Capital music was supplied by Indy and gentlemen amateurs, and dancing was continued with ' animation until shortly before midnight.

THE BANQUET. In tho ©vening, a largo number of tho leading representatives of the wholesale houses doing business on tho Coast, and prominent town and country residents were tlio guests of Mr. Shaw at a banquet to celebrate the opening of tho new hotel. Air. AV.' Pettie presided, and was supported by Mr. D. J. Barry (president of tho Licensed Victuallers’ Association) as vice-chairman. After full justice had been done to the excellent menu provided, the toast of “The King’” was loyally honored. The chairman then expressed pleasure at tho honor that had been done him in .asking him to preside over such a representative assembly of Gisborne business men and East Coast residents on such a happy occasion. He heartily congratulated Mr. and Airs. Shaw on budding such a splendid hotel, and felt certain that their enterprise would meet with- success. The new hotel would bo an inestimable boom ,to the travelling public on the Coast, and would most assuredly be well patronised, as-a watering place by Gisborno residents. (Applause.) Air. xV. T. Hookc.v (Arch. Clark ami Co.) was entrusted with the next toast on the list. "Tho Commercial Interests of the East Coast.’” Tho speaker stated that he had been one of the pioneer commercial men to visit the. East Coast. It was sixteen years ago since he had made lii,s fimt business trip up the Coast, and the difference between then and now in die matter of roads and accommodation was most marked. Tho progress that the East Coast had made of recent years was almost sensational, and was bound to still further increase as -a great deal of country still remained to be opened' up. The time had arrived when the importance of the trade done on the Coast demanded that the district should be better served in the way of steamer accommodation for both passengers and cargo . (Applause.) He hoped soon to sco both the -Pakarae and Pouawa rivers bridged over, and then it would bo possible for travellers to proceed from Gisborno to the East Cape in any kind of weather. The toast was coupled' with the name of Air. A. Murray. (Murray, Crompton and Co.). Mr. Murray, in responding, gave some interesting reminiscences of his trips up the Coast- in the early days, when the kniglits of the road frequently had to sleep in stables and live on pumpkins and wild pigs. The palatial hotel Air Shaw bad just erected was evidence of the steady progress the Coast was making, and was well worthy of even such a rapidly advancing district-. (Applause.) Mr. R. Johnston (Sargood, Son, and Ewen), in proposing the toast of "The Contractors,” paid a high compliment to Alessrs Evans, Nield and Co. for the excellent manner in which they had carried out the work. Tho able way they had surmounted many difficulties, and the faithful and speedy manner in which they had completed the contract reflected the highest credit on the firm as builders. Air. and Mrs. Shaw had givon tho Coast a good lead, which others must follow. (Applause). He coupled the names of All Geo. 11. Evans and Air. H. Warren, the sub-contractor, who had installed the acetylene gas plant, with the toast.

Mr. Evans, in responding, said it was very pleasing to him, as a member of the firm, to hear so many expressions of satisfaction at tho manner m which the contractors had done their work. It had been a very great pleasure to his firm to assist in placing on the East Coast a young Hotel Cecil. Contractors’ work of this class carried on so far from home presents great difficulties arising from unforeseen circumstances. They had had a little trouble in landing material and in securing sufficient labor, but otherwise they had had tip-top luck, and could now look bade with pride on the completion of the work. The build-

iiig worked up somo 100,000 feet oi first-class kauri timber, lie paid a high tribute to Alessrs Wade and Gray (pFumbors) and Air. Jas. Morrison (painter), who had been associated with his firm ns sub-contractors in tho erection of the building. Air., Evans also stated that Air. Shaw had helped very greatly by accommodating tho workmen.

Air. Warren also briefly responded. They could judge of-tho value of the plant ho had installed by tho brilliance of -tho light that evening, lie hoped to soo many moro country hotels and houses follow Air. Shaw’s load in installing ncotylono gas. Air. J. F. Pettie proposed tho toast of ‘‘The Architects” (Messrs Wilson and Lilley), and said that Air. Shaw must feel pleased that ho had placed the designing of tho plans in such capable hands. Air. Shaw rospondod on behalf of tho architects, and said that they had carried out- the work throughout to his entire satisfaction.

Air. F. W. Riacli (L. D. Nathan and Co.) proposed "Tlio Host anil. Hostess.” The spenkor said that ho had travelled pretty well all over the world, and had not yet met such an ideal host and hostess ns they had that evening. (Prolonged applause.) He wished Mr. and All's. Shaw tho prosperity in tho new building that their enterprise dosorved. Air. Shaw, who was hoartily cheered on rising to respond, said that everyone scorned pleased with their reception that evening, but if they were only as delighted as ho was at nceing so many of the leading business men of Gisborne and tho East Coast under his roof-tree they would bo pleased indeed. In deciding to build a new hotel ho hail made up his mind to have the very best, anil ho was pleased that tho result- mot with the satisfaction of his friends. If energy and attention to tho interests of the travelling public would assure success, then ho hoped to be successful in -tlio new venture.

_ Air. Shaw proposed “Commercial Travellers,” which was heartily responded to by Air. E. W. Burton. Mr. Burton said C'.T.’s in the old days when travelling up and down tile Coast had often to roost- with the turkeys. In such palatial houses as that just erected by Air. Shaw they would now lead a gentleman's life. Tho Chairman proposed the toast of “Our Native Visitors.” Mr. Pottio was proud to say that for 20 years ho hail enjoyed and highly valued the friendship of the natives of this district. The interests of the two races were identical, and they should mutually help each other. He was glad to see young men anti women of tlio native race coming to the front and occupying prominent positions. All- C. Ferris appropriately responded. He said that had Air. and Airs. Shaw lived in the days of tho speaker's ancestors they might have been put to the slight inconvenience of being sacrificed to provide a fitting banquet for. the opening of their new hotel. However, Air. Shaw was tlio friend alike of the Alaori and Pakelia, and the natives wished him every success in the now building. Ho thanked the Chairman for his kindly remarks towards the natives.

Air. Ivy me (Alacky, Logan, and Caldwell) proposed the toast of ‘‘The Press,” which was responded- to by AJtr. W. A. J. Gibson (‘‘Gisborno Times”) and Air. P. A. Eadie ("New Zealand Farmer”), the only representatives present.

“The Ladies” was proposed by Air. A. Zacha.riali, and responded to by Mr. H. DeCostn.

A capital concert programme was interspersed with tho toasts. Mr. Hookey ably officiated at the piano. Songs were sung by Alessrs Zachariali, H. DeCosta, Hookey, Riacli, Carroll, and recitations were given by Alessrs J. F. Pettie, Eadie, and Gibson. The Chairman’s health was entliusfastically toasted with musical honors, and the proceedings were brought to a close with tho singing of “Aukl Lang Syne.”