COKER'S FAMILY HOTEL.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 3487, 14 June 1879, Page 4

COKER'S FAMILY HOTEL.

' It is generally admitted by all who travel that there is a groat want whiob requires to be supplied in Ohristchuroh, in the shape of a good high-okas family hotel, whero elegance, quiet, and comfort can be found combined. That want Mr John E. Coker, well-known and respeoted in bofch Ohristohuroh and Wellington, has now supplied in the fine, large, excellently furnished building, complete and attractive bofch exteriorly and interiorly— Coker's Family Hotol, Manchester street. Ifc ia aboufc three minute.,' walk from the railway - station, and not more than fivo minutes from tho centro of tho cifcy. The building is a lofty and substantial structure, formed of brick, with stuccoed front and side walls, and with all partition walls built of brick. The main entrance from Manoheßter street comprises a lobby 12 feet wido, with handsome cedar framing and glass doors, which opon into a large hall, 32ft by 12ft wide. Opening from this hall are elegant and commodious suites oi private apartments, -of ample *»ize, finely furnished and chastely decorated. From this hall ■wing-doors divjde a seoond lobby, leading to thecommercial;^oo'mund dining-room, both of which are largo and lofty, aro equipped wifch fche mosfcjnodern and luxurious style of furnituro, are supplied with large mirrors, and handsome marble-mantelpieces which adorn all the prinoipal apartments, while the plate and table furnishing* are at once rich, massive, and chaste. Still on the ground floor are the bar and parlour, with tablos, pantry, and other requisite conveniences ; fche bar department; being so separated, and opening from another Btreet, as in no way to interfere with fche quiet and privacy which are the great desiderata in a high-class hotel. The upper storey comprises four more private suites of rooms, all furnished in a fashion similar fco those on fche ground floor, with bathroom, hot and cold water, specially intended for family use. In the commercial department are 16 tingle bedrooms, all finished with that eye to tho comfort of the inmates, which charactori;.(.s the otin-r parts of the Hotel, and foi* '"which Mr Coker has always been celebrated. Attached («• these are bath roomß, also supply ing hot ami cold water; and generally, it may bo shM without exaggeration or undue praise, thai no cost has ' been spared to render the 1.i>:..l that comfortable and attractive home lor temporary Bojuurners, whioh it is the earnest desire of every traveller to seoure. Behind, a neatly constructed greenhouse and vinery meets the eye, when looking from the side windows. The sketoh plans of the building were the work of Mr Tringham, architect, of Wellington ; fche specifications, and interior working drawings ond additions were furnished by Mr Jamos Heath, who, also superintended ihe erection. Tho contractors were Messrs Prudhoo and Cooper j fche joiner's work was performed by Messrs Kay and "Wood, the plaßtoring by Mr S. Andrews, and tho furnishings by Mr A. J. White, all of Chriatchurch, and all of whom havo earned credit fco themselves by tho excellence and honesty of their workmanship. Wo believo Mr Coker will formally open fche hotel on July 1. It ought to be added tbat a completo sot of fire brigade apparatus in miniature is fixed on tho upper sloroy, and hoso can be at work in lees thun a couple of minutes should occasion arise, vhich is not likely nnder tbo careful superviMon always exercised by the proprietor.