CITY IMPROVEMENTS.

Globe, Volume IX, Issue 1264, 6 April 1878, Page 2

CITY IMPROVEMENTS.

TnE New Cbitekiok Hotel. There are few hostelries in the city 'with whose early history are connected bo many pleasant reminiscences as the old Criterion Hotel, and it was with some feelings of regret that the older inhabitants witnessed its destruction by fire. That regret however has been somewhat abated by the fact that from the ashes of the old building has arisen Phoenix like, a much more commodious and well appointed hotel, one too more fitted to the advancing nature of the times. As the new building is now completed and will be opened in a day or two for business, a brief description of it may not be uninteresting. Before giving this, howerer, it may be premised that in planning it the proprietor has introduced all the most modern improvements in the way of ventilation, decorations, &c, and the result is a very elegant and compact hotel. The front has an elevation of 32t't., the whole of the front windows being shaded by projecting miniature verandahs in the Italian style, which is now to Christchurch, and possesses the double advantage of keeping the rooms cool and adding to the ornamentation of the front. A sign board, which is a very good specimen of work, stretches along the whole of the summit of the building and finishes off the upper portion. Commencing, on the lower floor, entrance is gtined to the hotel proper by a door opening into a passage 10 x 16, out of which springs the staircase leading to the upper pai tof the hotel. Opening out on to this past age is the door leading to the small front bar JL2 x 12, adjoining the public bar but separated therefrom by a partition carried up to the ceiling so as to make it quite distinct. Two entrances, one on Gloucester street, and the other on a right-of-way leading to the back of the hotel, open into the large public bar, 16 x 16, fitted with a straight counter, well 1 ighted and ventilated, and supplied with a 1! the most modern hotel bar fittings. Continuing along the passage just mentioned, wi> reach the dining-room, which is a very fine, room, lofty and well proportioned. It is 20 x 24, and is lighted at the further end by a triple sash window. At the further end is also a door leading into a passage, opening out, on to which is the commercial bar, a very handsomely furnished room with circular counter at one end. This room is 18 x 20, and has a door opening out into the right-of-way already spoken of. Here it may be mentioned that the right-of-way will be asphalted and well lighted, with gates at the Gloucester street end. Beyond this again are two pirlors, respectively 12 x 12 and 12 x 14, a well-fitted kitchen, with water laid on, patent stove, scullery, pantries, &c. The whole of the rooms on the lower floor are 12ft. high. Keturning to the staircase spoken of at first, which is a very ornamental piece of work, we ascend to the upper floor. Here there are seventeen large airy bedrooms, the ventilation and fittings of which are perfect. On this floor is a bath-room, linen closet, and other conveniences. Gas is laid on all over the house, and bells are fixed in each of the rooms. On this floor also is a private parlor, 12 x 12, nicely fitted. In order to provide an easy means of egress in case of fire, and also to provide a private entrance for residents in the house, there is a back staircase communicating with a door opening out on to the right of way. Altogether the house has been | well planned, and when furnished and fitted as intended by the proprietor will be a welcome addition to the present rather scanty hotel accommodation here.