THE ROYAL OAK.

New Zealand Times, Volume LXXI, Issue 3955, 22 January 1900, Page 2

THE ROYAL OAK.

THE PREMIER HOTEL OF THE COLONY. Out of the dust and ashes aud ruins of the old Royal Oat, a new_ and noble pile has risen, and Wellington may now fairly claim to possess not only the premier hotel of this colony, but also one of the best in Australasia. Containing three floors, and presenting to three streets a solid front of masonry five hundred feet long aud fifty feet high, the new building is at once a monument to the enterprise of •its proprietor, Mr Samuel Gilmer, and a lasting testimony to the skill of its architect, Mr J. O'Doa, of this city. Immense though the proportions of the building arc, there is nowhere an aggressive corner inside which seems to want filling up. Everywhere the best use has been made of all available space, aud a feature which commends itself to all vistors is the admirable system of lighting and ventilation which has been provided for. In tlio daytime the davliqht streams into every room and passage; in the night-time the whole building is ablaze with electricity. Thus, naturally, the admirable system of decoration, which is a leading characteristic of the Royal Oak, is thrown into perspective in the most effective and striking way, and the observant visitor gains at first glance some insight into the labour and skill which have been exacted from an army of expert workmen to achieve the architectural perfection which is everywhere apparent. It has been the ambition of Mr Gilmer to place his hotel in the very first class, and ho has in the respects above indicated gone the best way about it. The more closely one examines the appointments of the Royal Oak, the more impressed one is with the luxurious, almost palatial, character of his surroundings. The main entrance lobby is splendidly lofty. Its flooring is elaborately tiled; its ceilings are of white asbestos in the style of the Italian Renaissance. On one side are the inquiry and booking offices, fitted with an elaborate system of telephone apparatus, enabling instant communication with all parts of ’the house. On the other side, and to the right of the entrance to the diningroom, is a commodious lounging apartment, elaborately furnished. Contiguous is the main bar, occupying a space of 36ft by 26ft, and opposite that again is a smoking-room, where the male lodgers and > their friqpds may foregather and enjoy the fragrant weed. There are besides two very large commercial rooms, furnished and fitted with all the conveniences which the ripe experience of the proprietor of the Royal Oak has dictated. The dining -room, is 76ft by 34ft. It is elaborately, furnished in every respect, and the crock l cry aud cutlery service makes a display in itself. The rich, general effect is enhanced by an arrangement of plate-glass 'mirrors in frames, on all sides of the room. Leading from the dining-room is a spacious servery, fitted with alb modern, conveniences. Adjoining tlijs, spacious kitchen accommodation has been provided, with cooking, steaming and heating, appliances of the most up-to-date pattern, and adjacent are pantries aud a scullery on a befitting scale. As has been indicated, convenience has been made a. ruling feature throughout.. Tiled floors have been laid in the scullery, kitchen, servery and pantries, as ,well as in, the more pretentious portions of the house.' On the upper floors there are ,somo| beautiful rooms. The bedrooms have been furnished with the. best material that money could buy,, and each,has been fitted with electric buttons to summon the servants to the attendance of those occupying these apartments. A special feature of the second floor,is an elaborate drawing-room for the ladies, leading in from a boudoir, the furnishings of : both being handsome ' in the extreme. .Another 'convenient, arrangement is the.-provision of a series of bedrooms and sitting-rooms ' edinhih-i cd, the one entering into the other, 1 thus ensuring privacy and comfort; The first and second floors will provide. , for about 120 rooms divided ; into double suites in this way. One ofthe most admirable features of tbe' building is the clean-cut way in which the passages have been laid out. There is not one single intricate intersection. The provision for fire escape is also elaborate and l adequate in every respect. Separate staircases and ladders have been provided from the top floor to the ground level, and a wide balcony (commanding a nice view of the shipping ini the harbour) has-been erected on - the Cuba street frontage. , The sanitary arrangements are very complete, the fittings being of the latest, typer of enamelware, and hot water has been, made available fqr the bathrooms, sinks, etc.; by means of steam beating boilers and coils. Efficient fire services have been provided in the, niain corridors 'of each floor in the .shape of hydrants and hose. : The drainage has received special attention, and is in .compliance in every respect with the stipulations •• of the city bylaws.. The furnishings in .all apartments are on the j most sumptuous scale, in accordance with the desire of the proprietor to cater for. patrons- of the first-class, ■ • • ■ .. .Separate quarters have been provided for the servants-in the shape of bedrooms, lavatories and a dining hall, and the comfort of his employees has been especially studied by ,Mr Gilmer. It is noticeable that coloured and figured embossed glass has been used in many of the fittings. The staircase well has been continued to the ceiling, enabling an . admirable system of lighting by means of a, lantern light to be procured. The walls of the building are of plaster throughout, and this fact, combined with the provision of fireproof asbestos for the walls and ceilings, will naturally reduce the possibility of fire to a minimum. ,A k sketch* of the rehabilitation of the Royal Oak, at a cost of something like £26,000, would be inadequate did it fail to make reference to the splendid workmanship of the contractors aud tradesmen concerned, though that may be trusted to speak for itself. All concerned must be congratulated. Mr Trevor, The contractor, may well feel rewarded! by the contemplation of tho noble pile, ■ which redounds to his credit as a master builder. The elaborate system of electric lighting and the fitting .of electric bell appliances reflect the greatest credit on Messrs Cederholm and Tolley and .their'staff.' Mr Suaddon, the plumber; Messrs Martin (Manners street) and 'Lawson' (Cuba street), r who did the embossing and installed the 'lead lights'; Mr Graham, tho local agent for the United Asbestos Company—who supplied the “Salamander’ 5 brand of asbestos—and the other firms and workmen concerned cannot be too warmly congratulated on the splendid result. which their combined labours have accomplished. 1