LOCAL IMPROVEMENTS.

Taranaki Herald, Volume XXX, Issue 4012, 10 April 1882, Page 2

LOCAL IMPROVEMENTS.

WALKER'S ISO>ERIAL HOTEL. If New Plymouth is showing signs of improvement in one direction more than another it is in hotel accommodation. At one time our town bore far from a good name sunougst the travelling public, but now the hotels have been so vastly improved, we vie with other cities in the manner strangers who vi^it the town are entertained. Mr. Walker, who, a few years since, purchased the Imperial Hotel, has had the old building so altered and added i to, that those who remember it of old would scarcely recognise it us the same editice. Not only has Mr. Walker had another story added to the building, but he has had another wing built, and now it is one of the most commodious and well-appointed hotels in the town. The only part of the old building that has not been touched is the bar-room at the corner, the rest having been re-arranged by Mr. Edmonds, architect, who has transformed one of, perhaps, the most awkwardly planned houses that was ever erected, into a convenient, commodious, and thoroughly comfortable hotel. The chief entrance to the building is from Devon-street, and no sooner is the front door enteredjthan the alterations which[huve been made become perceptible. The hull has been widened' to 9ft., and is entered from the lobby by handsome swing doors. To the right is the dining-room, which is now 35ft. long by 17ft. 3in. ; and by lowering the iloor to the level of the barroom two feet have been obtained in height, so that tho room is now 12ft. from iloor to ceiling. Adjoining this room is the kitchen, a most commodious room 17ft. by 17ft. 2in., which is well fitted up with all the modern appliances for cookery. The billiard-room — entrance to which may be obtained from Currie-stieet, as well as through a room (13ft. by 9ft.) at back of the bar— iß 23ft. long "by 19ft. wide; and having been thoroughly renovated, und provided with a new, iirst-class billiard table, now forms one of the most attractive rooms in the town. Access to the first iloor of tho building is gained by means of a wide, well-graduated, and hand* some staircase, at the top of which is a spacious landing. On the west side is a privuto bar, 20ft. by 17ft,, which is fitted up in v hixiiriousTJfuyincr, the counter being a very elegant piece of cabinet work. Off the bar is a parlor,~t3ft. Gin. by 15ft., and is provided with a fireplace. It is neatly finislied and there is a piano in the room, being altogether a very cosy apartment. The room at tho other side of tho landing — over the downstairs bar — is 19ft. by 16ft., and has been converted into a sitting-room. On this floor thero are seven bed-rooms, ranging in size from Oft. Gin. by 7ft. Gin., to 13ft. Oin. by Bft. 6in. There are also on this floor a bath-room, Bft. by 7ft. Gin., which is supplied with water from tanks fitted to the main" building between the wings; linen-room, housemaid's room, and other conveniences which add to the completeness of a hotel'of this size. Ascend ing another staircase, the second story of the building is reached, and from cither side of a wide landing access is obtained to two apartments— a sitting-room, 19ft. by 16ft. (which is at the cornel), and a bedroom, 17ft. by 16f,t. The outlook from these rooms is most cheerful, a splendid view heing obtained of the roadstead. On this floor there are eleven bedrooms, varying in size from 10ft. by 7ft. Gin., to 13ft. Gin. by 9ft. The sides and roof of the building are of corrugated iron, and ample provision has been made for storing the whole of the rainfall in large tanks, which are erected between the wings of the building, so as to be available on each floor. There has been no alteration in the front elevations, with the exception of tho additional story ; but this in itself gives the building a more substantial look. The rooms are well lighted, and great care has been taken that the bedrooms shall be properly ventilated. We learn that it is Mr. Walker's intention to have a large verandah erected in front of the hotel, the top of which will form a balcony, where in summer evenings visitors .can come out in the open air and enjoy a pleasant smoke in the twilight. The work has been well carried out by the contractor, Mr. Barnes, under the supervision of Mr, Edmonds, tho architect, the sub-contrnctors being Mr. Davis, plumber and gas-fitter ; Mr. Bellringer, painter and paper-hanger ; and Mr. George, who Ims done tho upholstery and cabinet work required in the alterations. The sittingrooms are very elegantly furnished, and the bedrooms provided with comfortable beds. With such increased accommodation Mr. Walker is now prepared to carry on an extensive business, and we feel sure — being well-known as a host who never fails to look carefully after the comfort of his patrons — he will meet with that reward which his enterprise so well deserves.

On tjie occasion of the late Mr. Longfellow's 7:'ith birthday on the 27th of February last, the City Government of Portland, Maine, his native placo, gave him a public reception. A little girl fell into the water at Mid Quay, Grecnock, and would certainly have been drowned had not a labourer named John Tlendry, ,who was " staggering drunk" at the time, jumped into the water and prevented her from sinking until further assistance arrived, and both were rescued. ■ Whilst two men wcro dredging the Hivcr Wellnnd, near Little London, Spnlding, England, they brought up the head of v man. How it got into the river is at present a mystery. Tho brains were in ti perfect state, and the medical officer of the district believes the head is that of an elderly man, and that it has been in tho water a considerable time. The police are now investigating the affair. A £25 Bank of England note has just found its way back to its original source in a manner which indicates the efficient management both of the Bank and of tho Post-Offioe. It waH lost an far back as 1821), having been enclosed in a letter. Tho postal authorities inudo the usual investigations, lint, us nothing was heard of it, the Bunk imthoriticH, after somo yearn, made good tho loss. The note Avas found in circulation only the other duy. It lias been traced to a woman in humble circimtHtanccs, who found it accidentally among the piipera of her. grnndfathor, who acted uh guard to one of tho old mail coaches.

The Legion of Honor.— ln addition to the award of the Gold Medal (L'Academie Nationalc), and also tho Silver Medal, awarded to John Brinsmcod k Sons, of Wigmore-street, London, for the superiority of tho Piano exhibited by them last year at the Paris Exhibition, the founder of the firm has been created Chevalior of the Legion of Honor, this distinction being conferred on no other British Pianoforte Manufacturer,