CITY IMPROVEMENTS,

Globe, Volume XXII, Issue 1914, 13 April 1880, Page 3

CITY IMPROVEMENTS,

THE NEW ROYAL HOTEL. Many old residents can remember when the Royal Hotel wasjpar excellence the hostelrie of Christchurch, the head-quarters of squattordom and fashion. As time passed on, however, the hotel fell into the sear and yellow leaf, and its ancient glories departed. Recently, however, the property passed into the hands of those enterprising hotelkeepers Messrs M. H. and J. W. Oram, and they have already began—indeed nearly oomplel ed —the renovation of the premises. The intention of the Messrs Oram is to render the Royal worthy of the present state of the city, and to supply the evident want which exists for a first-class family hotel. With this view very extensive alterations have been made in the premises, so much so that it may be said that it has almost been rebuilt, and when the whole of the improvements are complete the Royal will take a first-class position amongst the family hotels of the city. The trees in the front of the building have been cut down, and flower gardens and lawns laid out with a sweep carriage drive running through up to the stables in rear. Coming to the hotel proper, it may be said that its total accommodation has now been increased to forty rooms. On the Oxford terrace side there are two private entrances communicating with what may be called the private or residential part of the hotel. Entering the easternmost one, there has been made a very roomy and airy hall in place of the small passage formerly existing. From this hail branches oil a passage, on each side of which is situated bedrooms and sitting rooms, which are cut off from the other part of the hotel by green baize doors. The western private door opens into a hall, and on each side of this is the commercial and reading room, each 18ft. x 18? t., which will be fitted with all the latest improvements in furniture. Behind this is a well-propor-tioned dining room, 27ft. x 18Et., well lighted and fitted with a communicating sliding panel to the kitchen. The cuisine arrangements are most complete. The kitchen and scullery have concrete floors, and the former is fitted with large ranges, one being the first prize one at the 1879 Agricultural Show, manufactured by Mr T. J. Watters. Here also are largo boilers, by which the baths are to bo supplied. The scullery, or second kitchen—for it really is that—is fitted with every convenience, and here also is an excellent stove, with grill, &o. This concludes the lower part of the hotel. In the upper part of the building very great, improvements have been made in the bedroom accommodation. In the front ones, which form the older part of the hotel, ventilators have been put in and other work done. Hero in the centre is a passage and a door leading on to the balcony running along the front of the hotel. The now part contains seven bedrooms, a bathroom, and a lavatory. These rooms are high and airy, and all plastered throughout. The stabling intended to bo erected will bo of a very extensive character. The range will bo 94 x 41, and is to contain twenty-two stalls, two loose boxes, a harness room and office, and the sweep road referred to will run through to Tuam street, so that it can be reached from both streets. The other arrangements in connection with the premises aro very complete, there being hydraulic rams for throwing up the water to supply the house, &e., and the reputation already gained by the Oram Brothers as caterers for the public is sufficient guarantee that in their hands the now Royal will bid fair to eclipse the former glories of that hostelry.