THE NEW JUNCTION HOTEL, RANGIORA.

Globe, Volume XXII, Issue 2003, 26 July 1880, Page 4

THE NEW JUNCTION HOTEL, RANGIORA.

The erection of bo commodious and substantial a building as the one under notice marks quite a new era in the prosperity of Eangiora. The old regime of discomfort so often the prevailing characteristic of upcountry hotels has passed away, and instead ■we have buildings such as the Junction, ■which would do credit to any of our large cities. The building, whioh is now just approaching completion, has a frontage of 67ft on High street, extending back some 62ft. At the left hand side a 10ft right-of-way, with archway to the street, oommunioates with the offices, &a., at the rear. The first room in the lower storey to be noted is the public bar, 16 x 18, which also communicates with a bar parlor, 11 by 13. The bar will tre fitted with circular counter and all the latest fittings. From the baok of the bar a passage leads into the hall Bft wide, opening upon ■which are—commercial room, 18 by 10ft 6in; a private bar, 27 x 13, connected with a store having a plate-glass front to the street. The private bar also communicates with the billiard-room, 30 by 18, a commodious and well fitted dining room, 30 by 18, is in the opposite wing, there being a court lift wide between. A side door in the dining room communicates with the kitohens, &c. The ascent to the second floor from the hall is by a staircase sft wide in the clear. From the landing right and left is a 7ft 6in passage, branohing off into the left wing, and sft passage to the right wing. In the right wing are three bedrooms 10 by 13, whioh are well proportioned, lofty, and with plenty of ventilation. The other rooms in the front are private suite of sitting room and bedroom, reading-room leading out on to the front balcony, two bedrooms and a sitting room, the latter of which also communicates with the balcony. At the end of the front is a fine large suite of rooms, the sitting room 16 by 12, and bedroom 12 by 12. There is also linen closet, bathrooms, and other conveniences. From the landing of the stairs above referred to is a main passage sft wide, leading to the left wing. The apartments in this wing comprise three bedrooms, &c. The rooms are well ventilated throughout, the height of the ceilings being on the lower floor 13ft 9in, on the upper lift. The billiard and dining rooms have ventilating apertures communicating with perforated air bricks in the external wall. The bedrooms have patra ceilings communicating with louvre dormers on the roof for the passage of vitiated air. The staircase leading from the hall is of easy ascent, and of a highly ornamental character, with cut newels and turned balusters, and the strings are richly ornamented. The ceilings in the majority of the rooms have bold cornices, and the arches over the passages are supported by richly moulded trusses. The dining and billiard rooms are panelled. The kitchens and usual offices in rear are fitted with every convenience. The front is of a highly ornamental character, the work having been carried out in a most workmanlike manner by the contraotor, Mr Williams, under the supervision of Mr Jaokson, the clerk of works. The ground floor front rests on a hard grey stone base, and the mullions of the entrance doors are of Hobart Town grit stone to prevent injury. Tho entrance to the right of way is arched over with coursed ashlar vaussoirs, as also is the entrance on the right hand side to the private bar. The private entrance and that to the public bar divide the elevation into bays, the fanlights being semi-circular. Tho columns have carved caps and epandrils, the keystones throughout being filled with grotesque masks. Bold pilasters support the entablature on each side of the entrances. In the centre of the elevation are two semicircular windows, surmounted by elliptic arohivolte, circular columns, with carved caps and key stories. In the entablature are seven large carved stone trusses, projecting 4ffc 6iD, supporting the balcony, which extends the whole length of the building. The balcony is supported by seven caßt iron twisted columns with foliaged caps, and the frjnt is filled in wjth cast iron panel work of a highly ornamental character. Tho friezs, which is aho filled in with cast iron ornamental fret work, is supported by ornamental brackets. Thiß is surmounted by a dental oornice and eaves guttering, with moulding under. Tho windows in tho elevation on the upper floor are richly carved and ornamented. The two entrance doors on to the balcony are flanked by pilasters with ornamental caps, carved epandrils, deep moulded archivoltes, carved keystones, and typanum, filled with large conch shell. The pilasters are continued up from the ground floor, forming a break and supporting tho entablature, the frieze of which is panelled. The centre piece, which is 12ft high, is of semi-circular form, with riohly polished crest- ' ing and bold mounted cornice, in the centre o£ whioh is a group of flowers, fruit, and ■oorn, with an ornamental panel bearing the •words " Junction Hotel " in plain block letters. Over the door entrances are dormor i windows of stone, with circular columns, i carved spandrils, and bold trusses, surmounted by pediments riohly carved and i ■ornamented. The remainder of the parapet is divided into bayß, with pedestals, urna, ' Ac.

The front of the building is of stone, the other parts of brick, made at the local brick works. Mr T. S. Lambert is the architect, Mr W. J. Williams, of Gloucester street, the contractor, and Mr T. J. Jackson clerk of works. The hotel has been built for Mr J. Oram Sheppard, of Christohuroh, and will cost between £4OOO and £SOOO.