THE GRAND HOTEL

Evening Post, Volume LXXII, Issue 113, 9 November 1906, Page 6

THE GRAND HOTEL

WELLINGTON'S LATEST ACQUISITION. Situated in 'Willis-street, and rising oven above tho King's Chambers, the city's newest accommodation house, tho Grand Hotel, is a decided acquisition to Wellington. As its name implies, tho Grand aiim at meeting the wants of thoso visitors to the city who require richly furnished quarters combined with all that is'' newest and best in modern hotel life. An inspection of the big new building gives the visitor an impression that no expense has been epaTcd either in its construction or in its furnishing. There are nine floors in the building, and 110 bedrooms, besides numerous sitting nnd drawing-rooms and offices. Some idea of the height and extent of the building may be gathered from tho fact that it required just 100 yards short of half a mile of Axminster "runner" caTpet for the Etairs and passages, and the stairway from the main floor to the lounge on the roof (which is flat) contains 172 stops. An electric lift, of the very latest pattern, and provided ' with safety equipments, rung up through tho centre of the buildjng from the basement to the root, where guests haVo a closod-in room, or can promenade with a fine outlook over tho city and harbour. There is also a 3eparte lift from the basement to tho kitchen, which is on" the third floor. The Grand is lighted by both gas and electricity, and every bedroom contains a i gas fire. Many of the bedrooms are also connected^ by telephonette with the hotel's bureau,. The means of escape in case of fire are ample, and th.c directions are plainly painted throughout tho house. The establishment has been co designed that tho utmost privacy is secured' by guests so far as tho liconsed portion of the premises is concerned. There is a largo public bar and two private bars, the latter having a well-furnished, comfortable lounge, but these are situated quite apart from the main entrance to tho living quarters of the house. The diningroom, which contains accommodation for 100 guests', is a handsome room, having a brilliant appearance- under the glow of tho incandescent 1 gaslights, whilst tha furniture und appointments are all in keeping with the general design. There is also a small dining-room or supperroom^ which will be suitable for special occasions. Tho • hotel was constructed in brick by Mr. Allan Maguiro, and the proprietors are Messrs. J Beveridge and A. Hum, both of whom had a lengthy expeVienco 'in the Union Steamship Company's service. They will havo under them a staff of 42 skilled aoflistautH, witU an expert chef in control of the kitchen, which has an uivto-dato equipment. Everything that can bo thought of to muke the Grand Hotel meet the needs of visitors to the Empire City lias, been devised and carried out. ' Amongst thoso who havo already engaged quarters in the hotel aro the members of tho team of English amateur cricketers who tour the colony at tho end of this year. Tho official house-warming of the Grand Hotel is to take place to-morrow afternoon, when a reception is to bo held fiom 3 to 5 o'clock. Nearly a thousand invitations have been issued to ladies and gentlemen for the leception. Tho hotel will be ready for occupation immediately after the reception.

Tho Indian canoo, tho Tilikum, in which Captain Voss journoyod round tho woild, and which was exhibited in tho Wellington Skating Rink for two or thrco weeks, has just changed hands in London. Captain Voss exhibited her at Karl's Court for soirto time and then sold her. After changing hands several times she was purchasod by v London yachtsman, who has fitted her with a motor. Although she is between 40 and 50 years old sho is still in a wonderful Btat«_of_Die«fitYatwn^.^ ..^-"