LOCAL ENTERPRISE.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume XV, Issue 4810, 28 August 1894, Page 2

LOCAL ENTERPRISE.

Masterton Club Hotel,

It is very generally admitted that fow inland towns in New Zealand aro visited by. moro commercial men, or travellers accommodation thereforobecomes a very important consideration., Wlicn Mr Joseph Maudel purchased the Club Hotel in October, 1893, he quite recognised this fact, and with commendable enterprise, decided on some very important alterations and improvements to this most centrally situated hostelry. Such alterations were not to bo mado without a large expenditure, but Mr Mandcl, having carefully considered tho matter camo to tho conclusion that "tho ganio was worth tho cahdlc," and had sufficient faith in tho future of Masterton to expend some £1,600 in improvements, hi addition to the capital already sunk in the original' purchase of the building and business. Tho.main object of the -improvements was to make the hotel a thoroughly comfortable and convenient commercial and family house, and this objoct has been keptsteadily ill view, until at the present time we can congratulate Mr Mandcl on possessing one of the bost hotels in tho Colony, In March last plans were drawn up by MESSRS T. TOMBi'IL & SONS of Wellington, aud tenders invited for the principal alterations, Mr J. Montgomery's tender of £720 being accepted for the main alterations. Tho work has been faithfully carricdoutaud isl a credit to all concerned, and as it is interesting to residents in tho district—and oven those outside—tomark any matter of real progress, a description of the improvementsiiiaynotbohorooutofplaco. Tobegin with, the mosthotieeablef eatiirofrom

Queen Street is the ncwprivatecntrance, next Jo Mr J. L. Murray's drapery establishment and entering two massive doors—grained and painted in imitation oak—the visitor finds himself, after passing through swing doors with handsome stained aud figured glass panels, in a lofty arid well-lighted hall nine feet wide and forty feet long. This leads to a wide and imposing six-foot stairway, with heavy balustrade and rails made; from cedar. Tho walls are "all dadoedJ with linoleums in most suitable pataJ and the floors covered with lintfH and cocoanut matting, Brussels being placed on the stairs. At of the flight is a vestibulo with roflH stained glass window, m<] km tfiero is readied by a passage, thonewbedrooms, all elaborately furnished. One special apartment designated " THE BEIDAt CII.VMBEB," has been fitted up in such a way that even Governors,out holiday-making,

w;ould bo more than satisfied, and the air of calm repose about.tho whole .surroundings, makes one feel quito drowsy merely to look in at the door. Passing on wo find twelve double aud 2fi single bedrooms (exclusive of those required

by the hotel employes) everyone the picture of cleanliness and comfort, Between tho bedrooms, with a front aspect, aro two really home-like silting rooms reserved for ladies, with pianos, lounges, writing desks and all tho other littlo arrangements which travellers generally miss when absent from home. Passing on to the old portion of the house we find all the rooms have been renovated and refurnished, and that a now and very complcto bathroom, with special patent shower attachment lias been fitted up. Perhaps it is well to stato hero that tho provision for escape from the building in tho event of lire, is a special feature of tho house, escapes at the end of every passage being provided, and iu addition to this the windows of a majority of the rooms, open out on a spacious balcony, which runs round tlirco sides of the building, so that whatever part of the establishment might be cut off, there is no possibility of any person being left without reasonable

MEANS or ESCAPE. Passing down the second staircase we reach the old main entrance, just inside of which is a substantially fitted public sitting-room, The dining-room—facing the maiu entrance—is capable of comfortably seating sixty persons, aud is arranged with two long tables and several small ones for family parties. It is a well-lighted and cheerful room, the sort of place where one could do full justice to tho already famous dinners provided by mine Host Maudel, Tho roof is panelled, and painted white, picked out in light pii)k autj green, with a light gold moulding, and everything in connection with it is in excellent taste. Tho walls hero -as in most other of tho principal rooms—are covered with sanitary paper. Passing through tho ladies entrance, we reach a balcony, on the left of whjcli is a privato commercial room, very finely furnished with tapestry carpef. writing tables, six arm chairs, six ordinary chairs, and two couches, all morocco covered. A large ai|d expensive mirror surmounts a fino marble mantelpiece, the walls being adorned with several well-selected oil paintings, and the'decorations generally being of a very high order. The room is lighted by two large windows, and gas is laid on, and it is also fitted with

' IiLECTIIIC BUMS, Leaving this retired and comfortable apartment, attention is next directed to a handy and unobtrusive lavatory, at the back of the main staircase and facing the new Billiard lioom, undoubtedly one of the finest and bestappointed in the whole Colony. The room itself is 21 x 23ft, the roof bciugsupportcd by ornamental carved beams. Lijjht is admitted from a largo lanicrn of sixteen largo glass squares, ()nd the system of ventilation is simply perfect, and capable of the nicest'regulation. A lire plitcp with heavy marble mantel-piece is oil flip north side, four oight-foof loqnges with carved frames, and upholstered m red plush, supplying seating accommodation. The _ decorations are most elaborate, mid inoxccllcnttasto, and are principally in shades of groon aud dark terra cotta, with mouldings and carved work on the coiling. All tho walls are dadoed with a bright oilcloth which matches the linoleum on tho floor, wlulo

r * t TO COMPLETE THE riCTUKK • in tlio centre stands one of AJlcoek'i s latest, full-sized, patent, low-cushioncc tables, ably attended by averycotir j teous marker, who understands luj (1 business. This room, with tables and fittings, Las cost MrMaudel every pejinj r of £SOO, and lie is justly proud of it. Taking a look around the yards we find ?j that several improvements liavo been • effected to the olliccs, outbuildings, und » conveniences, and that the yard has been 5 nicely asphalted. A peep into the new :• cellar—a solid brick aud concrete vault, • built underground to ensuro the proper 1 degree of coolness for the liquors during the summer months—reveals J rows of largo casks of the "best," 1 neatly ranged round a clean white--1 washed vault, 30 x 26 feet. Ecturnmg 1 by the entrance near the Dining Boom, [ we cross the main hall, and find a largo 1 well-lit, and substantially finished i apartment, 27 x lo fept, designated the FAJMBBS' CiUB EOQMI' ' ' ; Hero are held the Jockey Club, Pas- ' toral, i)nd other meetings, the'accommodation ample for 100 persons. Books, periodicals and papers aroon 1 the tablos lor the use of all and sundry. 1 The only other alteration of importance j not alluded to, is the bar, which has 1 been re-arranged and fitted up very nicely with racks.cabinets, bottlostands etc. Tlio wood-work in the bar is a most 1 crcdibleexliibition of the cabinetmaker's art,'-mid.was, we understand,earned out by Mr W. Wliitt, who also undertook tlio upholstering and furnishing work, the whole having been completed in a faultless manner. The stained glass wmdows, personally made by Mr D. Pickering,are particularly fine,: and the plumbing and electric bell work, which was'&Jso carried out by ]iim, ' is liirfdy sptikeiiojf,.' TJio wiling -aud filler decorating work lias been done by sfr D, S. Papworth, whoso skill at 'this class: of rak jS too well known'tliroughoiit the qistnet; to heed farther coinnient, suffice to say. his work"at"the 'Club does him credit; 9ub-cdlitracts fori the painting aild 1 ' bnckWork ; Were. let 'to Messrs Ifausmann Bro and td Me rs fiussijl ahd ! !3on respectively. and: both firms succeeded in satisfying Hm^el

imd his arcliiteit Iu must again congratulate Mr being tho proprietor of a really {firsffllj class hotel and wish him success in 'hiSSi business, ; feoling: suro tlut mthihis!s^ : sdrrants t?io public must recognise thoS | superiority, of his house. A point infill his favour is that ho endeavors to have • 'fw allliis dealings, as far as possible, with '"S local tradesmen, and in this connection 1 -§| it is as well to stato bar. pets, linoleums, etc, in the portion of the building were purchased from Messrs L. J. Hooper and ; Co., and a/-"*® man who works on this principle do- 1 serves patronage aud aupport. ' <j . -= V' ■