ROBERTSON'S NEW STABLES.

Hot Lakes Chronicle, Volume 3, Issue 160, 25 December 1895, Page 2

ROBERTSON'S NEW STABLES.

In a place which depends so much on thr- facilities offered to tourists and travellers for visiting the various natural wonders and beauties of the neighborhood a well-appointed livery and coaching stable is a desideratum. Amidst the many improvement", therefore, which huvj taken place in Rotorua during the past twelve months the work of transferring Mr Robertson's promises from the old to the now town is nol the least important. The completion of the railway line between here and Auckland rendered such a step imperative and recognising this, Mr Robertson, at the proper lime, secured a site in the new township within 1 ready access of the railway station and capable of meeting all the requirements of a rapidly increasing trade. Shortly after commencing operations at the corner of Tutanckai and ITinemoa-streots it was seen that the old buildings could be utilised only to a small extent, so that

the premises under notice may regarded us new in every essential detail. The Tutanekai-street frontage extends for Ga feet and that to Hinemoa-street I former street, a suitable approach having \ been made by making a culvert over the water channel. On the' left is a comfortaide office and convenient harness room and on the right the 1 pass ige ext ?nds to the yards, the' covered way forming a spacious coach-house 11 feet wide. Flanking the passage are three loose boxes, lofty and well-ventilated, and at right angles is another passage of about the same' width having eight stalls on each side. Ample storage accommodation is ; afforded overhead, the' stalls and loose boxes having been roofed over and a I floor formed capable of accommodating a j supply of provender estimated on the j most liberal scale. In the yard is another ; range of loose boxes, (five in number), | roomy and well-ventilated, and a large building, 40 feet by 26 feet serv<« as a coach-house prow 1 : , where the vehicles not in actual daily >_:b_ -re housed. In the yard are alsi T«iious smaller buildings allotted to different purposes, and a ready supply of water is available both inside and out. Mr Roliertson's connection with this district extends over a period of '23 years —since 18G9, in fact- -when the only means of communicating with the outside world was by the saddle track to Tauranga round by Maketif. It was not until 1873 that the 1 coaching business began to develop' and since'that time Mr Robertson's name has been closely identified with it. In spite of opposition, and in face of numerous other difficulties, the operations have steadily increased until nt the present nvnr .">() horses ami 2it vehicles are engtiged in fulfilling the various mail contracts in hand and meeting the requi-iements of the travelling public. Recently Mr Robertson acquired the plant of Messrs MelLroy and Marehesseau, and shortly afterwards he assumed as partner Mr Patterson-of Auckland. This necessitated a change in the style of the firm and the business is now conducted under the name of E. Robertson it Co.