TIMARU IMPROVEMENTS

South Canterbury Times, Issue 2734, 24 December 1881, Page 2

TIMARU IMPROVEMENTS

Tun Ship Hotel. Among the many improvements that have recently been made in Tiraaru, one of the most important is the increased accommodation that has been provided for the travelling public by Mr D, McGuinness, of the Ship Hotel. The old “ Ship ” has always been famed for its luncheon table, excellent wines, and good spirits, but it never ranked as a family hotel because the largo new portion of the house was let to the members of the South Canterbury Club. The Club portion has now been taken over by the proprietor of the hotel, and he has converted it into a first-class Family Hotel. The building in Strathallan street, which is three stories high, has a private entrance distinct from the other part of the hotel (the old Club entrance), and the downstairs part of the building, which was formerly used as an auction room by Messrs W. Collins and Co., has been converted into a commodious and well fitted up dining room, with sample rooms attached for the use of commercial travellers. The rooms on the second floor have all been renovated, repaired, and well furnished. They consist of private rooms, suites of rooms, lavatories, bathrooms, and a large smoking room with a view out on Strathallan street and the main street. There is also a billiard room, fitted with two tables, on this floor. The whole of the top storey consists of well-furnished bedrooms. There are thirty-three bedrooms altogether, and plans which have been prepared for additions at the back of the Strathallan street frontage will give twelve extra bedrooms on the second floor, while the downstairs portion will be used as a kitchen, and for servants’ dining room and bedrooms, laundry, scullery, pantries, &c. This hotel should meet the increasing demand for first class hotel accommodation, and we feel certain that no effort will be spared by Mr McGuinness to make visitors comfortable.