THE HOTELS OF GISBORNE.

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume X, Issue 2026, 15 September 1883, Page 2

THE HOTELS OF GISBORNE.

WILSON'S ALBION CLUB HOTEL,

Being on a holiday tour I took an idea into my head that, having heard much lately of the rapid strides being made in the commercial prosperity of Gisborne, I would pay this town a flying visit, and accordingly took steamer, aud in due course found myself safely landed on the shores of Poverty Bay. Having been handed on board a copy of the Poverty Bay Hkkald, I saw therein an illustration of what appeared to me to be a very gross exaggeration, for surely, I thought, no place of such a small population as Gisborne could boast of possessing any such magnificent hotel as represented by the woodcut. But my iirst impression was altogether wrong, for in the course of a few "minutes I found myself snugly ensconced in the large hotel so faithfully depicted in the picture. This house is known as the Albion Club Hotel, its proprietor being one of those jovial, social characters, who is ever on the gui vive in order to anticipate tho wants of his numerous patrons. The hotel contains no less than 44 rooms, with Sleeping Accommodation ir 30 visitors, with good bath-rooms attached. Throughout, the appointments are unique, every room being nicely furnished with the newest and best styles of furniture, which afford what may be termed all modern comforts. The exterior of the hotel, as can be seen by the illustration, has a most imposing and prepossessing appearance. From a large balcony a good view of the harbor can be obtained, from which are seen the steamers as they anchor in the bay, and all that is taking place along the magnificent street, known as Gladstone road, can be witnessed from this spot. The hotel is divided into two sections, the one side of the house being used as Thk Povkkty Bay Club, which has a membership of about 80 of the leading gentlemen of the place, the catering being entrusted to the able management of the proprietor of the hotel. I found that this club was the favorite resort for all the leading colonists of New Zealand who have occasion to travel Giabornewards, and also throughout the year are to be found taking up their quarters at this establishment a large number of English tourists, who drop in anxious to find out for themselves what the soil of the country is capable of, and to glean information as to the oil deposits of the district. In Australia I met no less a notable person, than Mr. Archibald Forbes, the famous war correspondent, who said to me, " If ever you go to a little place in New Zealand called Gisborne, don't fail to take up your quarters as the Albion Club Hotel. There you will find the comforts of home, for very little expense."' I told the I old descriptive writer that I should, act upon his advice, little thinking how soon the force of circumstances would send m<; in this direction. "At the Club," said Mr Forbes, "you will rind a middle-aged geutle*nau who undertakes the duties of hon. secretary, known, I think,, as Captain Thomas Chrisp, and who, ia one of the proprietors of tho daily newspaper published in the town. He will give you any information at his oonunaud, aud he possesses a pretty good fund of it." I have, during my visit, taken a good peop at the general Appointments ok this Hotel. The table is always we'd ladon with every delicacy of the sjeasou, whilst the waiters are attentively at your back soliciting yQv>r requirements. In tho hotel proper are to 1^ found several snug little private sitting rooms, and if the visitor is fond of music he can take a turn at a sweet-toned piano, with a good selection of songs, quadrilles, polkas 4 and any other music his fancy may lead him to indulge in. There are two Billiard Rooms in tho hotel, in which can be found a pair of Alcock's celebrated tables, and the lovers of the green cloth seldom ever allow them to reinain idle. On all sides of the house %he> visitor, ouatoucr, or boarder is treated with civility by a well-disciplined class of aorvants, who never appear to regard your orders as giving them trouble. The Proprietor of this hotel ia what may be termed among lovers of horses, as a tip-top Jehu. "S. M.," as his horsey friends dub him, entertains a lively faith in horseflesh, and can be scon moving moving in an o^t his_ massive stables, adjoining t,hfi hotel, at early dawn and late a^ night. His horses are his special l»'id,e, and he lias good reason to feel tVKWI of such a' stud, which comprises parrtage horses, ladies' and gentlemen,^ hacks, including three four-ju-han,d teams of greys, suitable either for pjenica or weddings, or fit to a.d\}vu, tb,e carriage of a New Zealand Governor. In fact, I am told, that Mr. Wilson had the honor on the occasion of the visit of