HOTEL IMPROVEMENTS.

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume XXII, Issue 91121, 22 May 1880, Page 2

HOTEL IMPROVEMENTS.

Mr F. W. Evans, the present proprietor of the Rutland Hotel, has not let the grass grow under his feet since taking possession, as carpenters, upholsterers, plumbers, and house decorators have been working night and day for some weeks, carrying out the enlargement and improvement of the Hotel, which is now without doubt the finest on the coast. The dining hall has been enlarged so as to seat 60 persons comfortably, and is tastefully furnished and arranged, whilst the daily menu is on a scale to satisfy the gastronomic tastes of the most fastidious. The main building has been extended along Ridgway-street, and 13 new bedrooms added, making in all 36, all of which are most comfortably furnished, whilst several private suites of rooms for families have been arranged, combining both privacy and comfort. Bathrooms with every requisite have been fitted up for the accommodation of those staying in the house. As the building now covers a large area, a second egress from the second floor has been provided, so that in the event of fire there would be no difficulty in gaining the ground by those occupying the upstairs portion of the house. This is a provision all large hotels should be compelled to provide, and credit is due to those who do so voluntarily. Downstairs a new billiard-room has been added, which is being fitted up in the most recherché and comfortable style, so that those who like a quiet game of billiards can indulge in the pastime in a room possessing every necessary for enjoyment. Spacious and conveniently fitted sample rooms have been arranged for the use of commercial gentlemen, who will no doubt find the Rutland under its present host all they can desire. The chief feature, however, which strikes the eye of those passing or entering the Hotel, is the Crystal Palace Bar, which will be opened to the public to-day, and in the decoration of which plate glass mirrors, gilders’ work, and highly polished ornamental woods have been employed with brilliant effect. The bar has been fitted up from the designs of Mr J. C. Kimbell, of Wellington, who has also carried out the work, assisted by some of our local artificers, Messrs Horn and Tingey being entrusted with the gasfitting and plumbers’ work and painting and decorating respectively. The counter is semi-circular in form and of polished wood, the top panels of which are kauri, with cedar frames, the top being supported by highly ornamented Corinthian pillars, backed by plate-glass mirrors. The counter is divided into three portions, one of which is to be kept strictly for the bottle and jug trade of the house. A convenient office is partitioned off from the other end of the counter. Behind the counter tastefully fitted shelves with polished pillars and plateglass mirrors display the various liquors and glassware to the highest advantage, whilst below the counter level there are nicely panelled cheffoniers. The front windows of the bar will be filled with large plate-glass mirrors facing the street, against which highly ornamented lettering will be reflected. The front bar will be lit at night by a gaselier specially manufactured to Mr Evans’ order from the design supplied by Mr Delves, and will be seen to be a most handsome article. From the front bar a door leads to the private bar, which is fitted up on the same tasteful plan as the front one. We must not omit to mention a very useful addition Mr Evans has placed at the service of those staying at his house, and that is a comfortable writing-room, where, removed from

noise and interruption, boarders and others can write their letters undisturbed. Altogether, Mr Evans has spared neither pains nor expense in order to make his house one of the most comfortable and well-appointed hotels in the colony, and we have no doubt the travelling public and others will duly appreciate his efforts on their behalf, and extend him a liberal measure of patronage.