SOCIAL AMENITIES

Otago Daily Times, Issue 18759, 12 January 1923, Page 2

SOCIAL AMENITIES

RAISING THE ARTISTIC STANDARDS.

A COMMENDABLE ENTERPRISE. Travellers judge tho cities they visit very largely by the provision nicy iinci there for their accommodation and comfort. It is a natural and perhaps a not unfair standard. The public dining halls and refreshment rooms of a city indicate in a very real way tho standard of taste and retincment to which the community has .attained. ‘J.ilie conditions under which people commonly choose to take their food is an adequate expression of their character. From this point of view it will be seen that tho establishment of elaborately ornate and aesthetically designed dining rooms is something of considerably more than mere commercial importance. The whole plan of the new Savoy premises in Princes street and Moray place has boon deliberately designed to add to the social and intellectual amenities of tho city and to increase its attractiveness and, standing with visitors from near and far. In the production of this commendable enterprise oven a glance through the new establishment makes it evident that neither money nor labour has been spared. Hie older rooms, long so favourably known for tho exquisite taste

of their equipment and arrangement, have been to some extent remodelled. ihe whole of the building is being arranged on a period scheme, and the management is using for the different rooms names familiar in that period. Thus tho old public room on tho second floor is now known as tho Warwick Room, and tho old system of a fixed charge for meals has been replaced by tho a la carte system under which the patron pays according to the various items ordered. The beautiful lounge on the fourth floor, known as the Somerset Lounge, is now set aside exclusively for the use of parties who may engage it at any hour of the day. Tho groat new hall on the second floor fronting Princes street is named the Tudor Hall, and at the north of it is the luxurious Clarence Lounge. The size of the hail is sufficiently indicated by saying that it comfortably accommodates 65 tables. The delightful harmonious effect of tho whole scene down to the smallest detail assuredly has not been obtained without infinite thought and care and the employment of much originality and resource. Yet the result is so pleasingly natural that the casual observer might easily overlook tho labour that lies behind. The scheme of decoration and furnishing is Elizabethan and has been carried out consistently in ceiling, leadlights, panelling, furniture, and arches. The woodwork is all in dark English oak. The scheme has been carried into effect by Mr G. B. Harper, of George street, who has been co-operating with tho

proprietor. Mr P. Barling, for the last 12 months in designing the architectural features, furnishings, and decorations of the hall. Mr Harper is an enthusiast in the cabinetmakers’ art, and has a sound knowledge of its history, which he has employed with striking success in reproducing various antique designs of great interest. People who know' the value of such work are usually much surprised to learn that it has been done in Dunedin. Three pieces of furniture that attract much favourable attention are a beautiful French settee with wonderfully carved sides, au Elizabethan table, and a massive Elizabethan sideboard introducing among other features perfectly executed linen-fold panelling. Only partially partitioned off from the Tudor Hall is the Clarence Lounge, a resting place rich with choice art treasures gathered from many lands. A great friendly open fireplace occupies the centre of the north wall. The tables and chairs, covered in harmony with the superior English imported carpets, are all rarely carved in oak to beautiful old English designs. A dozen or more paintings illustrative of the art of some famous Continental painters whose

work came into the hands of Mr Chiaroni adorn the walls. Some of them are specially lighted with excellent effect. Great brass candlesticks, brass cigar stands, beautiful Italian statuary, rare Antique China, costly treasures such as Chinese incense bowls, a sixteenth century oak chest are among the articles de vertu assembled to engage and delight the mind and eye. Everything fits most harmoniously into the general scheme with a charmingly restful effect. Pot rmlms and bright summer flowers add their peculiar beauty to the scene. On a platform partly between the Tudor Hall ami the Clarence Lounge provision is made for the orchestra, which is one of the chief artistic delights of the establishment. The services of a very capable band of musicians have been secured under the direction of Mr Caulton. An elaborate electric switchboard is behind the platform, and from it a variety of pretty lighting effects can he obtained at night. The electrical fittings have been specially made and imported, and electric candles with the dnintest shades are being employed here for the first time. The Tudor Hall lighting consists of nine six-light electric candelabra and eight two-light electric candle brackets finished in polished brass and controlled by dimmers. The Clarence Lounge is lit by fqur-light candelabra and two-light candle brackets in old gold finish. Limelight effects cun bo readily obtained at dinners or suppers or dances or other such functions for which the hall will bo available. For public functions and conventions it provides accommodation for 400 or 500 people. Ladies’ and gentlemen’s dressing and retiring rooms are available for use on such occasions. It may bo mentioned here that the air in the Tudor Hall and Clarence Lounge can be changed every quarter of an hour. So far wo have been speaking of the part of the premises designed for the public view. It is very gratifying to know that the very important part of the establishment “behind the scenes” is equally open for public inspection. It is not every caterer who could let his patrons into his kitchen at any moment without fear. The kitchen here is a huge light and airy room equipped with all the latest mechanical devices for labour-saving and cleanliness. There are no sinks, for nil the washing is done by machinery. The cooks and the bakers each have their own separate department and equipment, and a comfortable rest room is provided for the employees. The whole of the cooking ■utensils and food containers are of aluminium. There is a special department for the preparation of sandwiches for afternoon tea. The sendee room adjoining the Warwick Room is practically a duplicate of the larger one attached to the Tudor Hall. It may bo confidently assorted that very few of the people who enjoy their choice of dainty viands daintily served nt the Savoy have any conception of the amount of work involved in the preparation of their food. Below the kitchen is an engine room for the generation of steam, and in the basement there is au ice cream factory and a storo-room. The whole is fly-proof." rat-proof, and germ-proof. On the top floor there is an up-to-date laundry. Perhaps after learning these facts some people wall not bn so surprised as they would otherwise have been to know that the employees nt the Savoy number us many ns 80. The fact, is that the new rooms at the Savoy have been equipped with such elaborate care and taste that the more closely they arc observed tho more keenly they will be appreciated. The claim that they form the finest establishment of the kind to be found anywhere in Australia or New Zealand has alreadv been corroborated many times by delighted visitors. Indeed, more than one world traveller has declared Ids conviction that there is nothing better to be found oven in London. Country visitors in particular are proving exceedingly appreciative, and find that the opportunities afforded for refreshment of mind ns well as body and for rest end social intercourse under the most delightful conditions add materially to the attractions of (bp city. Such an enterprise is indeed one that should command widespread and hearty support in a community that somewhat, prides itself on its nice taste and discrimination in all matters of intellectual and artistic enjoyment. ELECTRICAL INSTALLATIONS AT THE SAVOY. The Electrical Installations of (ho Tudor Hall, Clarence Lounge, and Kitchen were entrusted to Messrs TURNBULL AND JONES, LTD., of this City. —Advt.