ALBION CLUB HOTEL.

Poverty Bay Standard, Volume I, Issue 299, 2 December 1884, Page 2

ALBION CLUB HOTEL.

Our energetic fellow-townsman, Mr. Samuel Mason Wilson, has, notwithstanding the depression that has of late somewhat unpleasantly made itself felt, vigorously set about adding to and largely improving this well-known hostelry. Mr. Wilson feels unbounded confidence in the future that is in store for Gisborne, and while many are croaking with anguish, and whining about the dulness of trade, the proprietor of the Albion Club pursues a different course, feeing the truth of the saying that the godd nelp those who help themselves. Mr. Wilson has . gone in largely for effecting improvements, I and the additions now in course of com- J pletion, while contributing largely to fl the comfort and convenience of visitors to ■ the hotel, enhance also in no small degree ■ the architectural appearance of Glad*' me ■ road. What was formerly a spare x »!ot ■ occupied by coaches, or giving a temporary ■ halting place to country waggons has now V been built upon, the whole of the frontage of 45 feet to Gladstone road being now utilized. Access to the stables at the rear is obtained by passing from the main rood through an archway about fourteen feet wide. On the right going in, on the ground floor is a spacious billiard-room, that will be fitted up with the best of tables and furnished in a pleasing style. On the left hand side and fronting the street is a shop with a neat room at the back, and further back is an office where the business of the whole establishment is conducted. The dining-room on the ground floor forms a special feature. Its dimensions are 85 x 20 feet, is thoroughly well-ventilated and capable of providing accommodation for sixty persons. It is here, rumor hath it, that certain magnates in the political world, intend next January feasting and making merry, while possibly a member or two of the Government will make after dinner speeches replete with promises never to be performed. With commendable forethought Mr. Wilson has provided two means of entry and exit to the dining-room. On occasions when the hours of dinner are prolonged this facility for retiring may be much appreciated. The commercial-room upstairs, is in keeping with the rest of the building, and is about 24 feet in length by 20 feet in breadth. There is also a private sitting-room, 18 x 14. For ladies and families there are ten bedrooms with private sittingrooms convenient thereto, set apart, from which easy access can be had with a neatly kept garden, attached to the building, where lovers of the beautiful in the floral world may gratify their tastes. All the bedrooms are high, of large size, and well ventilated. Ex# cellent baths, hot, cold, and shower are also provided. The building now comprises in all seventy-four apartments. The whole structure gives further evidence of the undoubted claim Gisborne has to afford in proportion to its population, the best hotel accommodation of any town in New Zealand. The contractors who have now almost completed their work at the Albion Club Hotel are Messrs. Somerville and Houlden. The work was been carried out from start to finish in such a manner as has given unqualified satisfaction to Mr. Wilson, and reflected the greatest credit upon the con- J tractors themselves. The painting and paper- fl Hanging has been entrusted to Mr. Frederick fl Hall, who is making rapid progress with his J work. The total cost of the are being made will come to about ■ The supervision of the whole work has been I entrusted to Mr. W. P. Finneran, the well- fl known architect, the design being, we under- fl stand, the joint production of th&t gentleman J and Mr. Samuel Mason Wilson.