OUR HOTELS.

Patea Mail, Volume IV, Issue 409, 19 March 1879, Page 2

OUR HOTELS.

THE-rambling reporter of the New Zealand SMnYLicenaedVictuallersAdvocate), writes as follows bn;from Patea to Haweira, 20 mileshorth? calling 'enrqute at the Wharncliffe? Hotel - (R, Haywood) asnirghtfcle house, ■-fheproperty of Messrs Carroll aridCanjpbelj, both Old West Coasters, jC reached niy destination in time for an excellent supper Hotels Hawefa is-excellently situated as a but . Compact—overlooking;, the celebrated: -Waimate Plains, and is destined at-po distant date, to become a placed of considerable importanc^. 4 . : Tbo laud aTOm.it—some thou-, sands of:.-the, same nature and richness that characterises the soil in Carlyle, and must ultimately place it in the- foreground amongst the grain producing districts of the. colony. Thepopulation of Hawera is, about 400 souls all told, the adult portion being engaged in various stores and hotels the predominant features. The Government departments are represented by the Post and Telegraph, Court House and Police

Offices, and the banking interest by the New Zealand and New fciouth Wales. Another township called Norraanby is situated within a thick belt of bush, three miles from Hawera, and on the direct line to New Plymouth proceeding by what is known as the Mountain Hoad. The inhabitants muster about-200, chiefly engaged in bush work, several steam saw mills being constantly in full swing. There are a few small stores Undthree licensed houses, one of the latter iri : pißrtfcular being a substantial and well finished building, known as the Normauby Hotel, the . property of Mr D. McGregor. It is adjacent tp the proposed site for the Kailway Station, when the line in course of construction, from Inglewood to Hawera, and thence on to Wanganui, is completed ; a much needed boon which may be reasonably looked forward to as an .accomplished fact within the next two years. Between Normanby and Hawera: stands the Waihi Redoubt, a military post in charge of a company of the A.C., under the command of Captain Marshall, an old resident of Nelson, where he is most deservedly popular, particularly amongst the volunteer for his many excellent qualities as a soldier and a gentleman. He now occupies a very responsible position, having ah- important post under hia, charge, for -in , the event of a disturbance'occurring'at aiiy time with the Native tribes located about the Waimatfe Plains, Captain Marshall and his men v/ould find matters particularly lively before . '.-assistance,could reach what would be available from amongst the settlers in the district. Should such a contingency arise, I have no fear but that the Redoubt and its well-trained 1 defenders would give a good account of themselves. Fidiii the “ look-out” Tower ‘ which 'rises some 40 feet within the-palisading surrounding the Redoubt, a splendid view can be obtained of the country for miles around,-conspicuous being, the Waimate Plains, and the historical battle ground with its small belt of bush, where gallant. Von Tempsky, Captains Buck and Hunter,. with a number of other brave fellows fell when fighting at close quarters with an enemy six times their number. The hotel accommodation of Hawera is limited to three houses which apieired ample for present requirements. The}’ are all good substantial buildings, well found in every respect, and presided over by . gentlemen up to the requirements of the business. As before mentioned the . • - HAWERA HOTEL "Ts bossed, by‘Mr J. Prosser, a capital fellow and a genial host,’ one who knows how to make his customers feel at home. The Hotel on the second floor contains a dozen commodious arid extremely comfortable bedrooms, bathroom, and a large front sitting-room, with handsome drawing.room suite (the room being also provided ' with piano, cheffonier, steel-plate engfavrings, and other pictures neatlj- frained hanging against the wall), and .downstairs spacious dining-room, three private sit-ting-rooms, billiard saloon, bar, tap room, kitchen &c, The stables adjoin the hotel; but stand back some 30 yards from the nlain street; and afford plenty of accommodation for travellers’ horses in addition to i Mr Prosser’s own saddle horses which can be obtained for Lire at a reasonable’charge. . :Jf > EMPIRE HOTEL, HAWERA V This .commodious hostelry is within a short (Tistapce’of the Town Hall ‘ and Post and Telegraph. Offices, and is under the proprietary of MrT. Lloyd, whose excellent qualities as art obliging landlord have made him' Exceedingly popular amongst the ■travelling public and residents of the district. He has a good house under his I heartily wish him a prosperous'’ business and plenty of it. The building is two stories high, and occupies ’a prominent' position at the corner 6f‘ the, ' main street... The interior on the ground’ floor is divided off into three comfortable parlors, a large dining room capable of seating fifty guests, commercial room, bar, tap-room; -and kitchen. Upstairs are 18 single and double-bedded rooms, and a well furnished private sitting-room ; a corridor, 6 feet wide, runs down the centre of. the upper.floor, thereby affording easy access to the bedrooms placed on each side. The ceilings throughout the building are match-lined. and varnished, and form a ’ pleasing contrast to ■ the well chosen and appropriate patterns'of the paper covering the walls. Mi- Lloyd also contemplates an extension of 35 feet to his present frontage, which will afford him a number of additional bed and sitting-rooms, and a billiard saloon. In connection with the house is large' stabling accommodation comprising 8 stalls, 4 loose boxes, and ft ; well-watered grass paddock securely fenced.

EGMONT HOTEL, HAWEBAi . This well-known house stands on the opposite corner to the Empire/and .commands a large share of business; from the numerous travellers by the several coaches funning between Hawera and Wanganui, the. hotel being the, booking office for Hall, Henry, and Go’s line. The accommodation provided is all 1 that cah be desired. .There are ,15 bedroms—large and comfortableseveral being provided with two bedb, one cofnmodious commercial room; 2 and a dining-room:-" Each apartment is well furnished, and visitors may rely on; receiving the best of attention at the haqds, Host Owen., /yhe.s.tabljng at- the; rear bf ’tlie hotel cbtnprises 12 stalls, and 6 loose boxes: • • ::