A MODERN HOSTELRY—POSTER'S HOTEL.

Dominion, Volume 1, Issue 57, 30 November 1907, Page 14

A MODERN HOSTELRY—POSTER'S HOTEL.

There is no better hostelry between Wellington and Auckland, nor a greater favourite with the travelling public than the house.on Taupo Quay, Wanganui, ■ know as Foster's Hotel. The first and foremost reason for this is that it has always given what evorv traveller wants, i.e.. "the acme of comfort. And the reputation which Foster's Hotel has earned has been gained by-a policy which aimed at excellence in all that pertains to a licensed house, a policy which has distinguished it right through the 50 years-, which' have elapsed since the first license was issued. Probably the greatest share of the work in tho building up of the traditionary comfort associated with. Foster's v' lias been borne by the licensees who retired about six months ago, Mr. and Mrs. \V. 11., G. Foster, than whom a; more capable host and hostess could not be found. And it certainly seems as if their methods—so eminently successful for over 20 years—were to be'followed by tho new licensee, Mr. J. E. Foster, who has marked his first year as mine host by the building of extensive additions,""greatly increas ing the accommodation of the house. ■ . j . The additions take the form of a third story containing U rooms, which bring the number of the bedrooms' iu the hotel up to 60. . Alterations and improvements, have been effected in the older portion of the building, which .is to be renovated and re-decorated through- ' out. This work, of course,- has been completed in the upper floor, where the contractors for this part of the work, Messrs. Allomes and -.-> I Tarrant, have put in a splendid job, noteworthy not only for workmanship, but for excellent taste also. In fact, the contracting .-ill ' through shows very faithful work, Messrs. Kusscll and Higncll being responsible for the building work, including, the strengthening and ' raising of the brick walls, all of which they have carried out in their well known style. The extension of the electric light installation was in the hands of Mr. H. Moult, of Wellington. The architect was Mr. A. Atkins, F.R.1.8.A., and his plans .have provided an extension' ; which, as well as increasing the capacity of the hotel, have added 50 per cent, to its architectural appearances On reaching the first floor landing, one is immediately struck witli a pretty lounge which has. taken the place of what was formerly a bedroom. Divided from the landing by white pillars'and arches, hung with curtains, it is delicatelv tinted in blfle and'white and, being comfortably furnished with settees aud lounges, is sure: to be a popular haunt of boarders. Close Reside is the main drawing ' " room, which has been slightly remodelled, and re-decorated in green, giving a very restful atmosphere. Opening from the drawing .room to the lower balcony, one finds that an end of tho latter has been glassed in to form a smoker's corner, a convenience which will be'much ': appreciated by men. ' , On the second floor, one finds the new rooms, each having its own colour scheme in mono-tint set: off with tasteful friezes. Needless to say, all arc most comfortably furnished, the beds being the size known as three-quarter. - Tho furnishings, are in rimu, the latter, by the why, being supplied by Messrs. Purser and Son and F. Dexter. All the ceilings are in stamped zinc, enamelled white, the material of ' the wails being pulp plaster. At each end of the second floor is-a largo bay-windowed room, that at tho northern end—li x 23—forming a : delightfully-airy bed-sitting room. From the second balcony a splendid view, is-obtained, particularly that giving down-river, while tho air is in cool contrast to that which prevails-in the street below. This balcony- communicates with the one below by a spiral iron staircase which, besides being a convenience, also forms n handy fire escape.' On his floor—which accommodates 28—is a new bathroom, lined with zinc—-tho dado, like those in the corridors, being stamped. This bathroom, as is tho case with all, is enamelled white, and'is. a model of dazzling cleanliness. ' ...; . . A hundred persons can now be accommodated at Foster's—Bß, were put up at the time of the recent Show—and the < plan is so arranged that, as the business grows, extensions can be made for the provision of 40 more bedrooms. The house, as it now stands, comprises GO bedrooms, with two sitting room's and a lounge upstairs, iii addition to which are the commercial and club rooms, writing room, and dining room on the ground floor, together with the culinary and other departments. The ground floor is iii process of renovation and alteration, and already a start has been made bv the throwing of the writing room and the commercial room into one, a new writing room being fitted up on the south side of the buildins. To meet rush times, folding doors have been placed between the club room and the dining room, so that sitting for 30 more people can be provided in addition to the 70 tho dining room how takes. ' Among the etceteras which one usually expects to find in a first-class house, may be mentioned the fact that every room is fitted with an electric bell. Provision for fire extinction is lavishly supplied, fire hoses, already connected up, being in every corridor. Tllo lighting of the 'hotel, too, is a special feature, both gas and electric light being installed throughout, while space lias been reserved for tho installation of an electric elevator as soon as the necessary power is available. In the l?usv kitchen an innovation just introduced is a new - gas-heated."hot plate," in appearance like a big oven, m which plates can be kept heated, while the-top; on'which the joints are carven is kept hot by a row of jets which prevent any cooling of the meats. .An-, extra grill has also been provided; while the scullery has been fitted with new coppor-tinned sinks. Finally, on the ontsido wall of tho-office; is a letter box, cleared for every mail and the letters posted by the hotel staff, a convenience that will be fully;appreciated by patfoiis. j fJl'i'H Mi.'.jh yl.l-: -I i The hotel, besides being,a. credit to the add to the reputation enjoyed -)jt, tWW-iv'am iiiviig sime of-itUM most up-to-date and comfortable licensed houses in the Dominion,' a factor which operates vcrv largelv in attracting visitors Wo wish "Foster's" a continuance of the prosperity it has so deservedly experienced in the past, and feel sure-that Mr. J. E. Foster, the new licensee, will add to its reputation as one of tho best-conducted hotels between Wellington and Auckland. , >