COLONIAL ENTERPRISE.

Thames Star, Volume XIV, Issue 4620, 25 October 1883, Page 2

COLONIAL ENTERPRISE.

Messrs James and John Watson hare, erected in Dunedin the largest hotel mi the colony. It is designated the Grand Hotel, and is situated at the corner of High and Princes streets, Dunedinl ' The total frontage is 131 feet, and the building is five storeys. The height from the basement to the top of the parapet is 75 feet, and from the street level 66 feet. The design is by Mr L. Boldini, and is executed in the Italian style, the front being composed of delicately carved Oamaru stone. The pillars of the portico are composed of finely wrought Port Chalmers stone, and to these are added eight massive Doric columns of iron, cast in Dunedin. A noteworthy feature in the construction of the building ia that the staircase, floors, and, in fact,'the whole " shell," are of cement concrete prefectly fireproof, with iron joists. ■ The partitions also are of brickwork, and by these precautions in the selection of materials the greatest possible' measure of safety has been attained. The hall is a spacious oblong 30 feet by 25 feet, surrounded at the level of the second floor by a four sided gallery, and continuing above this to a magnificently coloured double glass dome at a height of forty feet. This hall is described as the most striking feature of the interior, and illustrates well the system which has been pursued in this part of the design. It forms a central rallying point for the whole business of the hotel. Everyone entering the building, either from High or Princess streets, must pass into this central hall, and the whole business can, in a manner of speaking, be concentrated here. If; is furnished with speaking-tubes, electric bells, &c, and immediate access is obtained from this hall to the apartments * in most frequent use, also to the elevator, lavatories, and principal staircase. Tbe reading room is 42 feet by 24 feet, and 16 feet in height, and is furnished like th* other, rooms with taste and liberality. 1 The dining-room corresponds exactly with the reading-room below, is handsomely ornamented, and is ventilated by column, tubes—a novel contrivance—and the swing glass-doors in?'this and other principal . apartments are beautifully embossed. Th» , kitchen measures 25 feet by 22 feet, and < is fitted with a powerful cooking apparatus. The drawing-room is a haudsome apart* ment, furnished elaborately and with taste. Every care appears to have been taken for the comfort of visitors, and water hydrants' are provided on every floor, and other special arrangments made for theescapof the inmates in the event of a fire ooeunng. ■B rUl tbe w*ter BUPPIy and tQe abundance of hydrants are considered sufficient to ~ promptly meet any danger that may arise ' from this cause. There is room for somesuch large hotels to be built in other eitiet of the colony besides Dunedin.