Page 5 Advertisements Column 2

New Zealand Times, Volume XXX, Issue 6451, 24 February 1908, Page 5

MfMMMHßßmwTOaasßaßEMMm^T.vrawqsaggmanaE^^ AFTER trying all other brands of Soaps you will admit that none are as good and economical as . , . “WAXINE ’’ SOAP so why not stick to it and insist upon getting WAXINE every time you order it from your grocer. You are the loser if you take the inferior qualities often sent instead. If you are pleased with WAXINE SOAP tell your friends; if not pleased, tell us. J. B. Qilberd &. Sons LIMITED, Manufacturers, WANGANUI.

■■HI '""T Tzrvrr wMm m •M * mm mmm m iiiii tysx&j& %&■ »» *1 iiiiii -»tS

A MODERN HOSTELRY—FOSTER’S HOTEL.

Th«re u no better hostelry between Wellington and Auckland, nor a greater favourite with the travelling public than the house on Taupo Quay, Wanganui, known as Foster's Hotel. The first and- foremost reason for this is that it has always given what every traveller wants, 1.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 the building up of the traditionary comfort associated with Foster's has been borne by the licensees who retired about six months ago, Mr and Mrs W. H. 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 the new licensee, Mr J. E. Foster, who has marked his first year as mine host by the building of extensive additions, greatly increasing the accommodation of the house. The additions take the form of a third story containing 14 rooms, which bring the nulnher of the bedrooms in the hotel up to GO. Alterations and improvements have been effected in the older portion of the building, which is to be renovated and re-decorated throughout. This work, of course has been completed in the upper floor, where the contractors for this part of the work, Messrs Allomes and Tarrant, have put in a splendid job, noteworthy not only for workmanship, but for excellent taste also. In fact, the contracting all through shows very faithful work, Messrs Russell and Bignell being responsible for the building work, including the strengthening and raising 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 piwided an extension which, as well as increasing the capacity of the hotel, have added 50 per cent, to its architectural appearance. On reaching the first floor, landing, one is immediately struck with 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 delicately tinted in blue and white and, being comfortably furnished with settees and lounges, is sure to be a popular haunt of boarders. Close beside is the main drawing room, which has been slightly remodelled, and re-decoratcd in green, giving a very restful atmosphere. Opening from the drawing room to the lower balcony, one finds that an end of the latter has been glassed in to form a smoker's comer, 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. to say, all ere most comfortably furnished, the beds being the size known as three-quarter. The furnishings are in rimu, the latter, by the way, hefbg supplied by Messrs Purser and Son and F. Dexter. All the ceilings are in stamped zinc, enamelled white, the material of the walls being pulp plaster. At each end of the second floor is a large bay-wdndowed room, that at the norther end—l 4 x 23— forming a,.delightfully airy bed-sitting room. From the second balcony a splendid view is obtained, particularly that giving down-river, while the 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 a handy fire escape. On this floor—which accommodates 2S—is a new bathroom, lined with zinc—the dado, like those in the corridors, being stamped. This bathroom, as is the case with all, is enamelled white, and is a model of dazzling cleanliness. A hundred persons can now be accommodated at Foster's—9B were put up at tie time of the recent Show —and the plan is sr. 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 oedrooms, with two siv.ing roomo and a lounge upstairs, in 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 in process of renovation and alteration, and already a start has been made by 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 building. To meet the rush times, folding doors have been placed between the club room and the dining room, so that sitting for 30 more people can he provided in addition to the 70 the dining room now 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 Provisions for fire extinction. is lavishly supplied, fire hoses, already connected up, beinjr in every corridor. The lighting of the hotel, too, is a special' feature, both gas and electric light being installed throughout, while space has been reserved for the installation of an electric elevator as soon as the necessary power is available. In the busy kitchen an innovation just introduced is a new gas-heated “hot plate," in appearance like a big oven, in which plates can be kept heated, while the top, on which the joints are carved, 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 copper-tinned sinks. Finally, on the outside wall of the office, is a letter box, cleared for every mail and the letters posted by the hotel staff, a convenience that mil be fully appreciated by patrons. The hotel, besides being a credit to the enterprising licensee, will add to the reputation enjoyed by the town in having some of the most up-to-date and comfortable licensed houses in the Dominion, a factor which operates very largely in attracting visitors. We 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 the best-conducted hotels between Wellington and Auckland. I