NEW PIPIRIKI HOUSE.

The designing jof this structure was entrusted to Mi- A. Atkins, Architect, F.R.1.8.A., and this gentleman is to be most highly, complimented on the result. He has, from the outset, kept steadily in view the fact that this place was intended for the convenience and accommodation of tourists, and throughout the whole design this fact is apparent. The- h\ft bwldmg is -most convenient and comfortable to the verge of luxury. When. Mr Atkins first visited the site he foresaw that a groat deal of excavation was necos«atv. anrl * contract was let. near^v 4000 cubic yards of earth being ■ w- : moved from tne rear of .tho^.*™L \rxtr The old portion was then moveci bkcic and some yards to **c left, and j

this left a roomy ' and airy site for the new building-. Contracts were let, _- and soon was reared on the old .site a pile of buildings which would be a credit and ornament to any city in - New "Zealand! It would almost appear fat 'first sight that there was no necessity for so, extensive a building, but the owner knew what demand , ' was made - cluring the busy season*- -'' upon the' - accommodation, and that -" there would be times when it would „ • be taxed tp its- utmost. .But this was not the diily consideration which influenced them ;,in their .decision" to build so extensively. Pipiriki is rapidly becoming a. winter health resort. They have no forests t Vinre ; lh«! air is always ' fresh and balmy-.- Fine days - in winter, and,. we are favoured; with,, many, are perfect. \ The air is ;. clear "; and fre^i. The xiver trip ,is ihen \ more pleasant anH navigation -easier. 1 As soon as the^ Government ' cait-v. bi»' ' awakened to a sense of" its duty, and. complete the main road, coaching.'iwillJ'-;" also be more in, favour in wilier,, as it is neither too hot nor too- cold> and there is an absence of dust/laast winter "there was a large number;' of _ visitors to Pipiriki and as time goes oin the^ will increase. This fact then, - had to be takdn into consideration in ' • the erection of the new Pipiriki hoiise. A 'few words by way of description may. not be out' of place here. The present main frontage extends over 110 feet; and, the whole length covered by buildings over 150 feet. Nearly the wh<>leof the main building ,is _;. two-storied, '•axy£'?& great feature of Y--; it is iihe fine verandah and hn\c.or,y, 110 .'feet: long. and 8 feet wide. The latter are greatly appreciated and on summer evening* are s&y, with tourists and visitors enjoying the deligh'tf fully iresh air and the . picturesqueand extensive view of the river. -Tbe-_ Maoris, too, now perform hakas ; in front of the building, much 4o thede.-.. light of many tourists who have not - before; witnessed . these unique per- ; formances. The building . contains G».>.s< double-bed rooms; all airy and cosyJ';- , There are eight parlours of -various; sizes, well and conveniently furnished. , a large commercial room; billiardroom and ladies' drawing room. The dining room is very large and handsome. It measures 47 feet by. 29 feet, and ' will comfortably seat J 10 ;'- .per- . Ibojis. If, however/ this should prove " insufficient, . - there is another large \ room adjoining, 38x18, which', r _ts .. oa- \ casion demancls, will be. u§ed as/ aiif. 1 extra . dining; room: : Ordinarily, J ttrisJ «erves" tKe purpose of a spciaT,h'all -;' the ' furniture " how ,in- tliis includes,;' . a . > pkino. The kitchen arrapger ments. are necessarily extensive . .and' ; ar6 of the latest and most improved -i type. At \ coriyenient , positions 4 . throughout the house are located six .. bathrooms, where the much-travelled - tourist ' may enjoy a hot or cold plunge or _c hot or cold shower as he wishes. There are, in addition. 3 separate showers, and all other .conveniences equally numerous." So ,far as the general style and finish, of- the rooms.. is "concerned a is free use 'ja. made ■• ;of the stamped zinc- for; ceilings • with good cornices. whilst -.much of the., walling" is painted woodwork, /to > ensure the mqst .perfect cleanliness?; from. , a hygienic point of \new. The out X of the structjire is- in free stotic ' col- " our, '• with grained oak posts and bar- , ges. The .roof As ■of a .bright l-ed tile,v ; colour; which shows 'up in contrast" .. to the dark green background, df foli-". age. ' ' ■ . .•' So far. as^ the drainage is concerned,, it ' ie as precisely as complete and perfect a scheme as, the very best , whioh modern sciericei and work- can make. The water supply is- a special feature v "' A* fine" pure stream ,»f water. ' emerges" from the bush just over the . hill at the rear of the hoiige. \ Hfcre a v No^ 10 hydratilic ram" is" placed* which throws between 3000 and '4o(W gallons of water per day into a-con-" . crete cistern built in the side 'of .a ;-. hill, over 17d feet above the, level tif * the house. This ensures an'' ample" ' sup]jly of pure cold water, and .gives v a big pressure should, it be required to extinguish a fire. ' We may here mention that lengths of hose have been placed at various positions _ throughout the house, .always" ready for immediate use. The distance between each section is so - arranged, that there is no particular spot which cannot.be reached bjr at leasttwo jets of water simultaneously. ' , The, whole of the arrangements are ; riot yet complete. Mr Grosher, fleet* \ical engineer; of • Auckland, is now { ■engaged in supplying Pipiriki House. . with electricity, which -will be' srenorn.ted by power derived from a fall of s « water obtained near by. As soon.ar.. this is /completed the house will . be brilliantly illuminated by night,, every ; M room being liberally supplied. This work is nearing completion, and when th&* white! rays of the electric light flood the new Pipiriki House visitors will be enraptured with the whole surroundings. Improvements will not, however, cease with' that. The . grounds' across the public road in front of the accomodation house aro-V to be laid out and beautified with low-growing native shrubs,, , and doubtless when this is complete- otlver attractions will be added \intU PJpiriki is turned "into a fairy land- and ■ becomes famous, not only ; aa, W tP ur " iat terminus, but as a health-giving' . tourist and holitfay resort. v . . With the -* magnificent " Pipiriki ,; House," the fine fleet of s:.;amers; well officered . the inaiieufftti/m of the daily trip to those truly -enchanting scenes in* the «ppw reaches seems al-. , moat to \ complete all tht\<- can be done for" the tourists. The people of Wangamii need only to pause for a moment's reflection to understand what this means Ior i Wan- . ganui: ' Last 'year over twelve thousand tourists travelled by tbc steamers ; the number wilL be as greatj- if not greater, this year. Assuming thai each tourist, including fares, etc, spends on an average ' £!i % tbia rep i««?ents an expenditure of £60,0CHJ directty and indirectly, in Wanganm, And this will increase year toy yvar,-* as time goes on. Every- honour m due to the man who has foster^ L thw. _ trade, and no oue shotdd be^udgfe , Sm his rqward. The p.-n« :-f: -f t\an- , ganui should soe -that no hindrance is placed in the way ->f so vaporwi^ an adjunct to the trade of Aai^ftn«».