THE OPENING OF THE MITRE.

Globe, Volume VI, Issue 695, 11 September 1876, Page 3

THE OPENING OF THE MITRE.

This hotel was opened on Saturday. The Mitre—which this new building has replaced—was the first hotel in Canterbury, being built and opened before the arrival of the celebrated “ four ships ” in 1850. In the Mitre the first public meeting ever held in Lyttelton took place, for the purpose of petitioning that Canterbury might be made a separate province ; and the first public dinner and first public ball were held within its walls during that same year. From this it will be seen that to old colonists the Mitre must ever remain an object of interest. After the destruction of the old Mitre, last year, Messrs Cameron Brothers purchased the site of the Hon J. T, Peacock, resolving to erect an hotel, not only for the accommo dation of residents in port, but also for visitors and travellers. By their instructions Mr Jacobsen, of Christchurch, prepared plans and specifications, tenders were called for, and that of Messrs Hollis and Williams was accepted. There was no delay, and the work was carried on vigorously till its completion, one month ago. Like its predecessor, the Mitre fronts both on Norwich quay and Canterbury street, but occupies a much larger space, covering eixty-aix feet square of ground. The building is of two storeys, the rooms on the ground floor being 12fr, and those of the upper storey lifthigh. The principal entrance, which fronts on Norwich Quay, has an imposing appearance. A handsome vestibule leads to the staircase, which, after a few broad steps, divides into two branches, one leading to the commercial room, and the other to the corridor in which are the bedrooms. Eight and left of the entrance are two bar parlours. Further down the hall on the left a door opens into the dining room, which is 50 x 21, and can be divided by folding doors. It is a fine room of good proportions, a dado of polished rimu 4ft 6in in height runs round it, the upper part of the walls being plaster, with a handsome cornice; there are two fire places, and it is so arranged that though close to the kitchen no objectionable smell of cooking can pene trate. At least 100 people could comfortably dine in this apartment, which has also the advantage of being well lighted, On the right hand side of the entrance is the public bar, which has doors opening both into Norwich Quay and Canterbury street. It is very spacious, the length of the counter being 30ft; the fittings are very good. A door opens from the bar to the taproom, 22ft x 16ft, a dado of polished rimu also runs round this room, which is well furnished with round tables and comfortable chairs. At the back of this is a row of servants’ bedrooms, arranged so as to be shut off from other parts of the house. In the centre of the house, between the grand staircase and a back staircase, which leads upstairs from the servants’ rooms, is a covered courtyard roofed in, with a skylight. From this access is gained to an admirable cellar, lofty as well as cool, and of such dimensions as to afford accommodation for a large stock of liquors. The floor is of concrete, and the walls of brick, and air penetrates freely through it, so that it will be always cool, even in the height of summer. The kitchen and scullery are the other two rooms on the ground floor ; the former is very spacious, and fitted in an admirable manner. The range is capable of cooking for at least 150 people ; hot and cold water pipes run round the room, the foimer being so arranged that, if necessary, steamers can be fitted on, and extra accommodation for cooking furnished. The scullery is a very spacious and airy apartment, also fitted with every convenience. The yard at Jthe back, with closets, &c, is well arranged and easy of access from the house. The bedrooms are twelve in number, and are light and airy, and well furnished. The size of the bedrooms is about lift x 9ft, but there are two double-bedded rooms much larger. In the front of the house are a suite of rooms, consisting of sitting and bed room, this sitting-room, and another adjoining, are handsomely furnished, and open into the balcony over the principal entrance, from which a splendid view of the harbor can be obtained. The commercial room is at the top of the left flight of steps of

the principal staircase. It is 28ft by 21ft, a panelled dado of kauri stained to represent mahogany, runs round the room, and the cornices are very massive There is a bar at the end of the room also of stained kauri, with a handsome polished cedar counter. This is beautifully fitted up, A passage leads from the commercial to the billiard room, which is not yet completed. As used to be the case in Osgood’s Empire Hotel, at Wellington, the bar opens both into this as well as into the Commercial room. There will be only one table in the room, which is to be fitted up exactly in the same style as that in the new Club at Christchurch ;it measures 25ft by 25ft. A first-class billiard table is coming from Melbourne by the next steamer. Taken altogether the house is exceptionally well fitted. Nothing seems to have been neglected to render it comfortable, and the contractors, Messrs Hollis and Williams are to be congratulated on their work. The opening of the house was celebrated on Saturday, when a number of gentlemen eat down to a capital lunch. The viands were not only excellent but were placed on the table so tastefully as to reflect the greatest credit upon Mr Crowe, Messrs Cameron Bros manager. Hr Donald occupied the chair, and his Worship the Mayor the vice chair, abont sixty guests being-present. After the Queen’s health had been drunk, the chairman rose to propose the health of the proprietors of the Mitre, the Brothers Cameron. He congratulated them on having built such a splendid hotel on the site of the old Mitre, so much better than the one destroyed last year, and hoped they would meet with the success they deserved. Messrs J. and W. Cameron replied, stating how glad they were to see so many old faces around them that day, and hoping they would often meet together in the same place. The following toasts were then drunk—“Mr Jacobsen, the architect of the Mitre,” proposed by the vice-chair, and responded to by Mr Jacobsen. “Mrs Cleary, Miss Cameron, and the Ladies,” proposed by the chairman, and responded to by Captain Oleary and Messrs W. Cameron, and J. C. Boddington. “The Chairman,” proposed by Mr Sawtell in a very humorous speech, responded to in an equally amusing vein by Dr Donald. “ The Yice-Chair,” proposed by Captain McLellan, and replied to by Dr Rouse. “The Mayor, Borough Council, and Borough Solicitor of Lyttelton,” proposed by Mr C. E. Briggs, and responded to by his Worship, Messrs Allwright and McDonald, and Mr Nalder, “ The Captains of Vessels in Port,” proposed by Captain McLellan, and responded to by Captain Calder of the s.s Otago, and Captain Croker of the Halcione. “Dr McDonald,” proposed by Mr J. C. Boddington. “Mr Warner, the Railway Engineer,” proposed by Captain McLellan. “Mr Jones of the Canterbury Railways,” proposed by vice-chairman. “ The Press," proposed by Mr McQuade, responded to by Messrs Briggs, Jacobsen, and Lance “Captain McLellan,” proposed by Mr Sawtell, and replied to by that gentleman ; and “ The Manager of the Mitre, Mr Crowe,” proposed by Dr House, and duly responded to by the manager. This brought the list of toasts to a conclusion, and after a stroll through the house, the guests took their leave of their hospitable hosts The lower bar was thrown open to the public for several hours, a luncheon being laid out there free to all, and there was an abundance of liquor.