TOWN IMPROVEMENTS.

Taranaki Herald, Volume XXVIII, Issue 3525, 28 August 1880, Page 2

TOWN IMPROVEMENTS.

CRITERION HOfBL.

A HANDSOME three-story building, to, be I called the Criterion Hotel, has recently been erected, in Devon-street, and wnich forms quite an imposing architectural feature of the thoroughfare. It is built upon , the site formerly . occupied by the Ship Hotel, and for its elaborate style of design has few equals in the Colony. No consideration of cost has wcighe 1 with the owner — Mr. J. Paul— in the erection of- this noble structure, and his enterprise in this respect shows the unbounded confidence he possesses in the future of New Plymouth. • - The building is erected upon a foundation consisting of totara piles driven down to the. conglomerate formation, upon which arc laid puriri sleepers 12 inches by 9 inches. The whole of the ground is thoroughly drained, the drains communicating by a large pipe with the river. A concrete pavement has been laid in front o£ the building, and the floor of the' hall consists also of concrete. * There are two front entrances to the hotel 4 , •• and one side entrance. The front entrance,, leading to the commercial-room and main part of the -building, consists of a spacious hall. On the left "of the hall is "situated the commercial-room, the dimensions of which areij 21' 'feet by 19 feet. It is furnished with every' convenience for the transaction of business, and is capable of accommodating a large number of persons. On the left of the hall there ia a comfortable, airy parlour,- 12 feet by 11 feet 6 inches, and as it fronts the north it has the advantage of the best light. It is particularly suitable, both with respect to size and position, for the purpose for which it has been set apart, a"nd will be found a most inviting and cosy refuge at all times of the day. Proceeding aloag the hall, we come to the dining-room. It is a most agreeable feature in hotel accoiamo lation to have a large and comfortable dining-room, and this object has not by.en lost sight of by the designer of the building. The dining-room is 30 feet 6 inches by 21 feet 6 inches. A pleasant aspect is derivedfromthe beautifully-polishpd .ceiling and the exquisite shade of the paperhangings. A passage communicates from the hall to the bar, and also to another parlour, which is 155 feet by 10 feet, and is intende I for the use' of persons who desire to obtain privacy. On the left side of the passage leading from the private entrance there is another, parlour, 14 feet 6 inches by 10 feet. Opposite this room is situated a billardroom, which, for appearance ■ arid general j adaptability, could not easily be surpassed. It is 25 feet 6 inches x,lB feet 6 inches, and will afford ample accommodation for the lovers oftlffe-noble science.- A splendid bil-liard-table and fittings have been procured from: Messrs. 'Bennett, and 1 settee's are placed along the walls of the room for the spectators. Ac the rear of the main building there is a large kitchen fitted up with the latest improvements in the shape of ranges, racks, fee, and is the very embodiment of order and exactness. The second front entrance leads into tlie public-bar, which has been ma le a perfec.6 model, by the skillful manner. it,has" has been planned^, the' fittings, and appliances being of the best description, i» ; : Retracing our steps to the main 'hall, .we ascend a handsome geometrical staircase of four flights, each flight finishing under an eliptic arch. At the top of the first flight there is a stained glass window bearing the name of the Hotel (Criterion) in golden letters. After ascending the two first flights of stairs we arrive at the landing on the second storey.

Directly opposite is the entrance to the private bar and social-room. This is one of themost ele gant rooms in the building, and ha-j baen handsomely furnished. The bar counter is in the form of a crescent, is beaatifully polished, and the bar fitting* are in keeping with the elegant surroundings.

Along the passages on both sides are rows of bedrooms— l 6in all— measuring variously from 11 feet 6 inches x 7 feet 6 inches to 14 feetx 11 feet 6 inches. The bedrooms are all furnished in a superior style. The mattrasses in the single bedrooms are all horse-hair, and have been made on the premises. At the north-west end of the building is situated a superb :suite of rooms commanding an excellent view. First there is the bedroom, or nuptial chamber, 13 feetx 9 feet 6 inches ; parlour, 14 feet x 12 feet ; private dining-room, 16 feet x 11 feet 6 inches. The furniture is rich, and of the latest style. A bath-room and offices complete the complement of room 3on this floor. The second floor is not yet completed, but it is designed to consist al.nost exclusively of sleeping apartments. As occasion requires this part of the building will be finished; and it is at present divide ' into twenfey-fi ye large bedrooms, and a parlour.

We hare shortly enumerated the various rooms in the buil.ling, and will now direct attention -to minor matters. Communication is provided throughout the hotel by means of electric bells, which will be found a great convenience to the public. Gas and water are laid on, the latter being supplied from two deep wells and various tanks.

The ground story possesses the excellent quality of a lofty ceiling, being 14 feet stud, the second story 12 feet stud, and the third story 1 1 feet stud. The two side walls of the building are of' galvanised iron, and the front and back of the best description of weatherboarding. Two large brick chimnies are carried up through the three stories from, concrete foundations. The roof is composed of galvanized iron upon felt. The 'parapet is exceedingly comely, and consists of fretwork and panel. The building has' been erected in a most substantial manner, the credit of which is mainly due to the architect (Mr. EL Taylor), and .to the contractor (Mr. Pollard). Mr. Bellringer has executed the, painting and paperhanging in first-class style, and Mr. Davis, plumber, has finished the work entrusted to him with credit. Altogether the building has been finished to the entire satisfaction of the proprietor, who is to be congratulated on the consummation of his plans.

Major Harris gave notice in the House that he would ask the Government if they were prepared to invite tenders for gags for the use of members of the House.

Mr, Pyke tabled a rather personal motipa against Mr. Wright, M.H.R., who was a Mem-, ber-of the Railway Commission. He asked the -Government "if Mr. Wright was the. .same Wright who contracted for the Rangitata Railway Bridge, and if the piles were driven- with a crbss-cut-Baw— that is to say,, had, their >3adß..iCut,;ottV-inßtead ,of being driven, .in the tisqtal w&y. ! '■• n.* ;.,:.-:.;, «