AUCKLAND ELECTRIC TRAMWAYS.

Auckland Star, Volume XXXVI, Issue 12, 14 January 1905, Page 6

AUCKLAND ELECTRIC TRAMWAYS.

"SANS SOUCI" TEA KIOSK. To provide the luxury of a first-class city tea-rooiu on the shores of the Manukau, in the strong, cool breeze, away from the dust and heat of the town, was a happy idea of the Auckland Electric Tramway management. Their enterprise in erecting thcpleasant little''Sans Souci" Kiosk at the Onehunga tram terminus last year met with prompt recognition from" the public,-no fewer than 30,000 persons visiting it during the season. On msny occasions the accommodation has been overtaxed, and the large extension now nearing completion will be welcomed. Mr. Paul M. Hansen, managing director of the Company, has taken great personal interest in the venture, and everything has been done to design, in the extension, a tea-room which would do credit to any city. The enlarged ' : Sans Souei" is bound to become, exceedingly popular, for it i 3 almost ideal as a cosy yet cool and airy tea-room.

The extension 10 bo opened on Wednesday week consists of a lofty loom :5.3ft. by 20ft.. adjoining the original San-; Souei on" the Manukau side. Beyond this is a spacious, well-sheltered verandah, from which nearly the whole of the large harbour, with the mountain ranges and. the Head* in Ihc distance, can be seen. Every window of the new room commands v pretty view, mostly a combination of land and water, and built, as it. i>, on a .-light eminence, the well-shaded tearoom pots the benefit of all the breeze, which apparently never fails near the Manukau. If it does, three powerful electric fans will circulate fresh air. The room is very lofty, and tin- visitor is quickly struck with its cool and clean appearance. The prevailing colouro arc cream, red and cold. There is just a suggestion of the Orient in the richp"-s of the decorations, but there is nothing tawdry. A cream-painted ceiling is vel ofT with frosted incandescent electric lights glowing in the centre of pretty copper tulips. The centre light i> a very beautiful piece of work containing a aundred lamps of various colours, set in mirrors and surrounded liv circles of g!a>- pendants. The glowing colours in the ceiling contrast prettily with the beautiful frieze, which has a gilded pattern in relief. Mirrors also serve to diffuse the light and beautify the room, while two large ones will provide plenty of fun. as one greatly exaggerates the length of the observer, and tlie" other is suiiieient to frighten him into taking copious doses of "anti-fat."

Double blinds are provided for the window?, γ-o that the room should be cool in the hottest miv. The inside blinds are of a pretty tint to match the general colour scheme, and in keeping with the daintily draped screens which make the tables semi-private. A splendid dancing floor ha.-, been provided, and the carpets are arranged so that the new extension can quickly be converted into a hallroom. The rf>ld portion of the tea-room. reached through a broad curtained opening, would upon such an occasion make an admirable supper-room. The kiosk can be hired by private parties, and its many advantages will no douht appeal to promoters of these pleasant social function.-.. A beautiful piano and plenty of music i» always at the disposal of visitors. On. a hot afternoon thi- week a

"Star" reporter was glad to take advantage of Mr Hansen's invitation to spend an hour in the pleasant retreat. The quick journey out from town, with its varied scenery, was one of the nicest features of the trip, and a dainty meal eorveil less than 40 minutes after leaving Queen - street. showed that business people who wish to get a pleasant change with a minimum of trouble can do so by travelling out to the "Sans tSouci" for tea. Sixpence is the charge for afternoon tea, including assorted pastry and nice scones, with a pot of tea. Strawberries and cream, lemonade, or the popular Ainorieun milk-shake, arc al*o served. Everything is clean and dainty, and the attendants arc extremely courteous. A t wciiiy-ininule service of cars runs between Onchunga and the city on weekdays, while on Sundays, when so many Aueklondcrs take the opportunity to make a trip into the country, the service is often augmented considerably.

Concerts will be hold on alternate vVednesday evenings during tl*» summer, ami Mr Hansen look advantage of his recent trip to England to purchase for the kiosk a splendid gramophone of a type ndlniUcdly the. linest made. A large supply of records was selected by him from a stuck of IjOO, and there is hardly a standard song or a lirst-elass singer not included in the repertoire. The glorious torn-, of Madame Melba are reproduced, without a shade of the usual grating sound, in favourite pieces Jike "Sweet riird." Tosti'd "Good-bye."' "All For*. X Lui." and ".Lucia <li Lammermoor," while Signer Enrico Caruso, the great Italian operatic tenor. Signer Francisco, Mr William Paull, Mr Edward Lloyd. Mr John Harrison. Mr T>en Davies, Mr Andrew Black, and many other first-class vocalists also provide marvellously perfect records. Miss Ella line Terris. Miss. Marie Lloyd, Dan Lenu, and I\. G. Knowlcs have managed to put a great deal of their clever comedy vocalis.ni upon the record*, and world-famed bands, like Sousa's and the Grenadier Guards, are heard to good ad\antage. The instrument is far and away beyond the average in the clearness of reproduction, and will make a very popular feature of the kiosk concerts.

■"ISans iSouci" will be more than ever in public favour this summer, and with »iicl; .i popular gathering-place for the people, it may some day be worth the while- nt the Onehunga Ik»rough Council to extend the roadway which now almost enclose-- an arm of the Manukau having ;i water area of about 22 acres at high tkie. By providing a sluice gate a line artificial lake could be constructed. There are sloping banks which could poou, by good prarilcuing, be made beautiful, and such a. lovely expanse of eheltcref'i water would quickly make Onehunga the best water-sporting place in liip colony. An effective and picturesque coloured poster, which pourvraya the (tt-lighls of afternoon tea and the car ride, has been designed by a well-known English poster artist, and will be used to advertise Ihe kiosk. Nicely lithogranbed post-cards of similar design are also being published to serve as souvenir*.