A BIG STEP AHEAD

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIV, Issue 23, 21 July 1911, Page 8

A BIG STEP AHEAD

MAY AKD ■AIUtOWSMETH, LTD. A Christehurch gentleman toJd Mr. ArrowsmiUi yesterday that the City of the Plains had no tea-rooms to surpass the new Central Tea Roams which were opened! during the day by Meagre. May and Arrowsniith, Ltd., over the oldestablished and well-known rooms of that name. The tea-rooms liave hitherto done a large business on the ground floor despite fttruetural inconveniences, but witih the growth <rf the town and the increasing voguo of the afteraoott tea group in botih aexes, came a demand if or a really up-to-date tea-room, This the new firm has supplied; Three rooms on the first floor of Menstem Bros.' block have been converted into one largo brightly lighted room, papered and docoratedi in excellent taste, and splendidly furnished throughout, and providing seating accommodation for sixtyeight people at afternoon tea without crowding in the slightest. The approach to the new room da by way of a very easj'-grade staircase, richly carpeted, this carpet extending throughout the tea-room Itself. Mirrors on the stairway, mirrors in the took®, tastefully draped curtains, neat oriwumenital hat-racks and umbrella stands in oiled rimu, anowy white table-linen on alternately placed round and square tables, silver teapots, hot water jugs and sugar basins, white and gold china, and everything else in equally good taste, make an attractive picture of cleanliness, comfort, and style. The Arm has a full staff Off waitresses, who are provided with everything to facilitate attendance on customer#, a lift connecting with the shop downstairs. Inhere is a retiring apartment for ladies. Mr. Arrowswnitih drew attention to dark maroon curtains, which when drawn mak'e a private apartment for parties numbering up to sixteen. Osraim electric la/mps are instated throughout. Every visitor to this elegantly furnished room must 'become a walking advertisement for it. The ground l floor tea-room has been improved, too, by the provision of a convenient kitchen, etc. The some cleanliness that is manifested /here is noticeable right through the bakery, in whWh the mixing is dome by machinery, and which is under the direct (personal supervision of Mr. E. May, who has managed l , by continued effort, to provide the public with its want", to increase his bread business! from 000 loaves to 7000 loaves weekly, and from a "oneman" business to a concern giving employment to seventeen hands. The firm contemplates Trmkimr provision .for luncheon as well aa afternoon tea in; the near future. The premises wre now complete, and- the spirit of enterprise shown in this very marked advance is bound, we fed sure, to receive its proper reward.