An Up-to-Date Establishment.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XXXXV, Issue 243, 12 November 1903, Page 2

An Up-to-Date Establishment.

THE METROPOLITAN COFFEE PALACE. The old feeling that prevailed amongst the travelling puhli.- that no comfort could be obtained ia boarding-houses is now being removed, und the enterprise of such people as Mr G. M. ArrowjsMith, of the Mctropoliitn Coffee Palace is what is helping to remove it. The number of travellers is increasing every year, ank every day sees mre improvements in the matter of accommodation. A representative of the Daily News has been afforded an opportunity of inspecting: this up-to-date houso, which was recently enlarged afld th* old portion renovated throughout; Tkore" is a very large frontage to three streev*, Devon, Egmont and King Streets, and the outside appearance is decidedly /•leasing. What iirst popularised the Coffee Palace was the up-to-date manekjjement of the dining-rooms, which now seat 86 people and these were mado the first the ordor o.' inspection. This room is spacious, airy, and well-lighted, and the table arrangements are all that can bje wished for,- with beautifully white table-linen and well-kept cutlet y, etc. There are several small tables for parties, besides the long centre table, and in addition there is n famlily dining-room which has been welcomed by those who have children ifi their earn, and also to people who' have ah objection to prattling and trying children In ths diningroom. Adjoining this, and fronting Egniont Street, is the ladies' waiting and sitting-room, with lavatories and every convenience. The din-ing-rooms are attended from a large servery, fett from a spacious kitchen, containing oiie of Luke's large ranges, fitted with Mander's patent dampers. The. entrance hall gives access to the 'dining and commercial rooms, lavatories, etc, and from it ascends a broad and easy staircase. Upstairs there are about fifty bedrooms, all well furnished anil scrupulously clean—this latter having earned for the houso an enviable reputation: The rooms throughout are lofty and splendfdly lighted and ventilated. The gentlemen's sittingroom und writing room is a very comfortublo apartment, whilst the ladies' sitting-room, at the southern end of the and opening by a French casement on to a fine balcony, is luxuriously furnished. Theie are three bath-rooms with hot and cold plunge and shower batiks, and most up-to-date sanitary arrangements. All of the new portion of the building is divided from the old by a brisk party wall, and ample fire escapes are provided. An innovation is the heated-linen press, which ensures all bod-linen being thoroughly dried—a great consideration. The contract for the additions and alterations was left to Mr A. A. Pikett, eatd tha work has been carried out in excellent style, good workmanship b&ing shown in all parts of the building. It certainly is a great credit to Mr Arrowsmith that he has in his live and a-half years' occupation so increased the business as to demand such extensive enlargements, and the trustees, Messrs Newton King and Bay ley, show their business capacity and their good faith in tho town by having the work done so thoroughly. The CofTec Palace is now amongst the houses recognised by Messrs Cook and Cons, and recommended by them to tourists. This speaks volumes for the manner in which tho establishment is conducted.