NOTES AND COMMENTS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLV, Issue 13744, 8 May 1908, Page 4

NOTES AND COMMENTS.

A MODERN PLEASURE PALACE.

A ■ scheme for reviving the "glories" that were associated with Brighton.in the heyday of the reign of. George IV. is to he submitted shortly to the municipal authorities of the world's largest watering-place,' and subsequently, if supported, to Parliament for approval. It is, in brief, a proposal for the creation of a grand Summer and Winter Palace on a scale which, for luxury and pleasure, will rival any of the more famous Continental casinos or kmsaals, whose patronage it is hoped thereby to compete for on English soil, beneath English skies, by the highest-class attractions and hospitality. With this object it will be necessary to reclaim a considerable portion of the Brighton foreshore from the sea, to build a new sea-wall, and to take in that portion of the seafront and gardens that lies between the existing Norfolk and Bedford Hotels. Upon this site it is proposed to build, at a cost of £200.000, a magnificent palace of amusements which will include one of the handsomest restaurants in the world, a large marble ballroom ,for fancy dress balls and cinderellas, the largest real-ice skating rink in the world—covering half an acre— facilities will be provided, not only for skating, but for tobogganing, ski-ing, and sleighing with Eskimo dogsa concert hall larger than Daly's Theatre, where first-class entertainments will be provided by the foremost London theatrical companies and concert artists, a swimming bath for "mixed" bathing, togethei with billiard, drawing, reading, and' retiring rooms; while the grounds will provide racquet and tennis courts. According to the plans and specifications prepared, tbe palace itself will be 465 ft long, and will be built of white marmorite, enriched with various-coloured marbles. ■ The new sea-wall will he 150 ft southward of the existing wall. The gardens will cover over four acres, faced by a sheltered promenade running alongside the sea lor 1325 ft. The palm-house and winter garden will be larger than the Dome Assembly Rooms, affording accommodation ..for 2000 persons. This will contain a grand saloon for the • seating of | 2000 people, and will be provided with a. i bandstand and ornamental fountains. The [concert hall will be 100 ft in length by i V'.'Hv iii width, capable" of seating 1600 peri sons. The restaurant, which is to be ! on i>. luxurious scale, will provide sea i views from'its windows, arid beneath it ! will be constructed "a marble swimming J bath, fitted with sluice gates, to retain the sea water, at low tide,, The ballroom j and. assembly, hall, a billiard-room, also I built of marble, will be lOSftby 81ft. ' The j entire building will be enclosed in ovna- ! mental ground*, and the tennis and rac- ! quet courts, where it is proposed to hold j tournaments, will be open to the public j view from the landward side.

A REMARKABLE PERSONALITY,

"My. Chalks Evans Hughes, Governor of New York and candidate for the Presidency of the United States, is a remarkable personality. Born. in Glenns Falls, New 'York, in 1862, he is the son of & Baptist minister, who crossed over from England in 1855. His father is Welsh, and his mother a mixture of several nationalities, including Scotch and Irish. He was taught mathematics by his mother and classics by his father. A precocious child, he graduated at Brown's University with high honours at 18. Entering a, law office, he was, soon made oartner, and married the senior partner's daughter. He was then distinguished for his knowledge of contract and constitutional law, and for his absolute integrity. As one who was trying to gel. some personal advantage from him" remarked, " The fool simply does right the whole time!" Governor Hughes was travelling in Switzerland in 1905 when the Equitable disclosures startled the American public. On the understanding that he should have a free hand, he consented to return to New York and act as counsel for the Armstrong Insurance Investigating Committee. His searching questions brought out the fact that secret "contributions were being made from the policy-holders' money to the Republican campaign funds, through Mr. Odell and Senator Piatt, Udell and Piatt had to take their place on the witness stand with terrible results. Mr. Hughes' report produced laws which made life insurance safe and policy-holders secure. During this inquiry Mi'. Hughes was nominated for Mayor of.New York, but declined the honour. He afterwards became Governor of New York State, defeating Mr. Hearst. He is a man of high ideals, and at the same time a lover of golf.