HOTEL COMMONWEALTH.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XXXXV, Issue 55, 5 March 1903, Page 4

HOTEL COMMONWEALTH.

The vicissitudes through which this hotel his p.iss'd has earned for it a widespread notori -ty, and for the proprietor, Mr J O'Diisoll, a full m c a-ure of sympathy. Erected on the m"s: eligible site in town, opposite the railway s ; a'ion, r>cd finished in an exceptionally complete manner,tho travelling public wer-i prepared to patronise it liberally. After a stubborn fight; j the license was gran f ed and the hotel -pened, but the rrusadagainst is went | on, aed viven l uallf for a few w--eks tin j ij >ors -.tig closed, greatly to tho regret I of rhrgj wh; h-d found the convenience of pinVti well-raanagfd -and omfo."ta' la quartes. A second tima the law per-« inrt?d the Lo'ol to b> opened, and its us'fulmss wssagdndtnionstrated most thoroughly. Hardly had the house wfll settled down into its business groive when a fire broke out, and little of the stnicturo crciped ihs ravages of the devouring element. .Nothing daunted Mr and Mm O'Driscoll, with characteristic pluck, at once set absufc the business cf recorstructior, and once moro the hotel is thrown epen to tha public, improved a< to its internal arrangement? in such a way ao to abolth a'l fear of danger to tre inmates s-Lould another similar calamity oucu", which it is heartily hoped may not be the c«e; but otherwise much Qg it was before. As regards situation, it is an idf al ont>, both for travellers and visitors. Itadjoins the railway station, is close to the Theatre, and only just removed from the hsart rf the town, and is oa the direct road to the breakwater. Access to the beach is provided by an overhead bridge immediately opposite the hotel, fo that whether the visitors are on business or pleasure bent they could not be mora conveniently located. On the other hand, the large and ever incressiog throng of travellers by tail and fea will fiod the Hotel Commonwealth a moat acceptable halting placp, and, what is mo e, everything ready there to promote their comfort and convenience. A walk through the hotel its j lf well repays anyone who is desirous of seeing the extent to which present day requirements as to comfort hive been met by the care ard forethought of the experience'] hos 1 ; and hostess. It is most gratifying to find that nothing has been loft ucdoM i hat wou'd tend ta make a stay a', the ho*el a reil pleasure. For busi:>rss men there is a luxurious conittKrei'.il roi'tn, exceptionally well equipped with all conveniences and pxc lleotlv lighted by day and night. The dining-room is also a model of what such a room should be, and is so arranged that large rr small parties of friends can lake t hair meals together with that S3tiality which U one of the charms of life. The decorations are particularly handsome and cheerful, while the tables and other acces-orics are correspondingly attractive. Iu the kitchen every provi-ion has been made ti meet the requirements of a full house, and an expert chtif presides over this important department. On the upp r fl or are to be found 22 newly furnished bedrooms, the contents of which are in ko ping with the superior s'ylo ;u ;vi ieuca throughout the buii iing. There are two charmingly c sy sitting rooms, in one of which is an exceedingly first-class piano. The bathrooms have received particular attention and will be found all that can be wished, having Lot and cold water, showers and a neadlesp'ay, the i.tter ben g a luxury that is rarely found in an tr.'tel. All the other conveniences a" e arranged oa the latest. sanitary pri'.c'pl-s. The passages are light, airy and roomy, nnd give a c ss to the balcony at several poiu's, Kv:*y room on this floor has eisy t gresj to the bdeony so that in case <f fire t':e occupants can i fleet their escape -at one?. The view f: o-ji tho roo&s looking seaward \> one that should make a stay at the hotel very enj lyable and interestin;-, aud the balcony boing well shelerfd from ths coid wind makes a very pleasant, place to take an firing. Last, but not kast, the bir portion of the hotel is singularly well arranged. There are three entt ances, one of which gives direct acce-s to the cornmerchl room,another to tho bar, and tho third to the dining-; 03m, hotel offica aud staircase, The bailjing is supplied with electric light throughout, the staircase and passages being nicely carpeted, great taste being shown in every detail. A more up-to-date and comfortable hotel it would be difficult to find. It has met a decided want, land under the present able management should have a long era of prosjperity. 1