THE NEW POST OFFICE HOTEL.

Colonist, Volume LV, Issue 13843, 15 October 1913, Page 4 (Supplement)

THE NEW POST OFFICE HOTEL.

AN UP-TO-DATE STRUCTURE.

'(From ""The" Colonist," Oct. 7.) A.,handsome addition to the architecture'of . Motueka, has been- complet-' ed; in the' erection on ,th~e- Kjorner1 "oft High and Pah streets of the new Post Office Hotel for Mr. H. G. Houldsworth. The premises, which comprise ■two storeys, with a concrete party wall ' to.prevent fire spreading from neighbouring places, are built of wood, on up-to-date lines, and the hotel is now the most modern in the Nelson province. With a frontage of 82 feet to High street, the building has two wings, each running back a distance of 114 feet, with a yard in the centre. The downstairs portion consists of the bar, billiard-room, sample rooms, din-ing-room, kitchen, etc. The bar, which is on the Par street side, is 34 feet by 24 feet, and is fitted up with fancy shelving and mirrors, and the counter is panelled with heavy plaisters and brackets. At the back of the bar is the billiard-room, 21 feet square, and two commodious sample rooms, with I entrances from Pah street. Between i the two wings and at the back of the! main front is a nicely fitted up bar' parlour. The main entrance opens on to a hall, 39 feet in length with a width of 10 feet, and' access to the upstairs' is gained ~by. a handsome stairway in' the hall, near to which is the office. I On either side, of tho. main entrance i are commercial -rooms, each 14 feet/ square, fitted with roll top /desks, etc. i ; At the end of the hall, and close' to the' dining-room, is a lavatory fitted with wash basins for the convenience, of casual visitors. Tho dining-room is 36 foot by 2.4 feet. Across the ceiling are two beams, with heavy brackets supporting, and the angles are heavily moulded. Tho dado, which is four feet high, is fitted diagonally with the mouldings, and the'whole presents an imposing appearance. Behind the din-ing-room is a room known as the "seryery," ?A feet by 9 feet, which is provided with the necessary cupboards, shelving, etc. Behind the "servery'' is tho kitchen, 24 feet by 20 feet, in which has been installed two 5 "feet 6 inches Atlas ranges, sinks, etc. Next to tho kitchen is the scullery, which is also fitted with shelving, etc" Alongside the scullery and adjoining the kitchen is a sitting room for tho staff, 14 feet by 12 feet, which contains a fireplace, and is comfortably furnished. The outbuildings consist of a laundry 20 feet by 20 feet, a wash-house with copper, fixed tubs, etc., and a spacious store room.. The main stairway leads to a. corridor 10 feet in width. This runs tho. full length of the High street frontage, and at one end is the linen press. From tho corridor are two sit-ting-rooms, each 15 feet by 14 feet, and tho lounge, 14 feet by 9 feet, the latter being furnished with handsome chesterfield chairs and settees. There are eight double bedrooms (two having fireplaces), and twenty single bedrooms. There are two bath rooms, fitted with porcelain baths and wash basins, and adjoining each are lavatories. There is also a stairway from the "servery" to the second storey for the convenience of tho staff. Hot and cold water is installed where required, and electric bells aro fitted in the main rooms, including some of the bedrooms. The building is lit throughout by electricity, the current being supplied by a 6 h-P- National oil engine and a. 50 volt dynamo. The drainage from the hotel goes into a septic tank, , which is working with satisfactory results. vJThe internal wood-work decorations "are walnut stained ;utcl varnished, and tho staircase is oainted white. Tho bathrooms and lavatories aro also done in white enararl. For the prevention of fire a 1200 gallon tank has been erected, which is supplied from a pump driven by the oil engine, thus ensuring an adequate supply of water at all times. In the building are four firo plugs, with hose attached, ready : for any emergency. Fire escapes/are also■ provided.-'■' A balcony rans the full, length of the High street frontage, and is fixed to the building l?y iron brackets, doing away with verandah posts/ This enables vehicles to drive right up to the front entrance. The hotel front presents a fine appearanco. and, as stated before, is a very handsome improvement to the business portion of Motueka. The building was designed and erected by Mr. Andrew Millar, of Nelson, and the manner in which the contract was carried out has given every satisfaction to the proprietor (Mr. ITouldsworth), whose enterprise j will no doubt be rewarded.