THE GRAND HOTEL.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXIX, Issue 8272, 27 October 1906, Page 6

THE GRAND HOTEL.

A MODERN STRUCTURE. i X i ~~ Tbe contractors for the erection I of the new Grand Hotel, in Wellington, have now nearly completed the work, and if good progress is made with the furnishing, the estab--1 l[3hmonfc should be open to the [ public iu a few days. The building is situated iu Willis Street, ou tbe site of the old Western Hotel, and is to the order of Mr J. Beveridge, who has for the past twenty-one years heen connected with the Union Steamship Company. The now proprietor is enterprising, energetic, and courteous, and it is his intention to couduot the hotel on tbe most up-to-date lines. The hotel, as it stands, consists of six storeys, not including tbe basement, and its imposing and vvelldesigned front is suoh as to attract immediate attention. On the ground floor the main bar is situated, nearly iu the centre of the building, and admission is gained to this department by means of a patent American door, worked on the turnstile system, whioh exoludes all wind and dust. Tbe total length of tbe bar is no le ; a than 70ft, and tbe stock shelves are all neatly fitted ud aud backed w'th bevelled mirrors. At tbe back'f this again is the private bar, admission to whioh is gained along a wide passage at the extreme left of the front of tbe building. On the first floor is situated the dining, drawing, and smoking rooms, also a lounge where af terainner ooffee nnd llquers can be served. Numbers two, three, four, five and six floors are devoted to bedrooms and sitting-rooms, of which there are about 120. On top of all is a roof garden and promeuade, from which is obtained a most magnificent view of the city and harbour. The dining-room seats about 160 guests, and is handsomely decorated in oarrara work. One of the features of the Grand Hotel is the lavatory arrangements for ladies and gentlemen. There are baths on each flour, and hot and cold water is obtainable day aud night. A noteworthy feature in the construction of the hotel ia the fact that the kitchen h situ-

ated oo ttie fourth storey, tbue obviating any smell of cooking being admitted to the dining room below. The arrangements in case of a tire occurring in the premises are very complete. On each landing there are large flie-alarm gongs. When a fire occurs all one has to do la to press the alarm button and tbe gongs referred to ring automatically by means of oleotrioal appliances, while at tbe same time electrio lights are switohed on at the back and front of the building so as to enable the inmates to see tin fire escapes. In addition to this, an alarm is giveu at the main Fire Brigade Station. Electric lifts are no» almost n necessity iu modern structures over two or three storeys high, and in this, as well as in everything else, the Grand Hotel is well provided for. The lift, which v?as manufactured by the Standard Elevator Company, can be self-worked and will oarry nine passengers. Th rooms on the first floor, of which mention haß already been made, are worthy of a special word of praise on acoount of their magnificent furnishings and well-lighted ancs general appearance, smoking-room is covered with paper of a smoked blue pattern, with carpet to match, and the writing-room is thoroughly ups to-date, having no less than six roller top desks fitted up as well as a largo writing-tublo in the centre of tbe room. The building had also been specially constructed so as to resist earthquake shucks, there being over 250 tons of steel ties built into it|| The main staircaae is also a fine piece of workmanship, more especially the portion from the vestibule to the first floor, which is constructed of solid marble.