THE THEATRE ROYAL HOTEL.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXII, Issue 4987, 17 March 1877, Page 1 (Supplement)

THE THEATRE ROYAL HOTEL.

. This splendid hotel, which for its outward appearance is an ornament to the city of Wellington (which can boast of many fine buildings), and for internal accommodation, fitting, and decoration is unequalled in the colony, was opened yesterday by the enterprising proprietor - , Mr. Urwiu, who has at length obtained a license after a groat amount of opposition emanating from a rival establishment, the particulars of which our readers arc no doubt fully acquainted with. Mr; Barton, in addressing the Bench against the granting of the license, urged that the new house was not a hotel in the ordinary acceptation of the term, but was a mere drinkingshop, without any adequate accommodation for guests staying in the house. We think Mr, Barton can hardly have paid the hotel a visit, otherwise he would not have made such a statement, oven in the interests of his client, as it is not consistent with facts. In the uppermost story of the hotel there is. bedroom accommodation which the most fastidious could not reasonably object to, independent of the bedrooms leading off the billiard-room, which have been referred to in disparaging terms by the same gentleman, bijt which they hardly deserved, although they are not so large and lofty as the rooms on the floor above them. The sitting-rooms are lofty, spacious, and beautifully furnished. We have in former issues described in detail the vestibules and the other parts of the building, all going to make up a tout ensemble the like of which is not to be found in the colony. The appearance of the spacious and beautiful apartments and the broad staircases, seen at night, when a brilliant flood of gas - light is thrown over the whole, is most pleasing, and cannot fail to bo admired by visitors of all classes. The most ardent Good Templar may object to such a beautiful place being one where the sale of fermented and spirituous liquors is carried on, but he cannot deny its attractiveness, even if he deplore it, or say otherwise than that if hotels must exist at all this is one that ought to exist, and he must acknowledge that had the Bench refused the license—so long as licenses are granted at all—they would have done wrong; That the' new house will supply a want felt we feel sure, and that by theatre-, goers especially, but not exclusively, the hotel will be appreciated as a boon. Mr. Ur win has only to conduct his house well, ns we have no doubt he will, in order to be recouped for his large outlay, and for the delay, annoyance, and inconvenience to which he has been subjected in the matter of obtaining his license. If any one thinks we have said too much in praise of this new establishment, let him pay it a visit, and we think he will say we have only done it bare justice. There are many handsome and good hotels in Wellington, and as a whole as well conducted as in any city perhaps in the world ; but the merits of the new house are peculiar, and in their particular line cannot be surpassed. We cordially wish Mr. Urwin every success in his undertaking, and have no doubt whatever that he will obtain it.