THE PARKVILLE PRIVATE HOTEL.

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume L, Issue 12145, 9 January 1908, Page 8

THE PARKVILLE PRIVATE HOTEL.

MR. J. HODSON'k. NEW AND UP-TO-DATE PREMISES. It is generally acknowledged that the jgrowing. requirements as to hotel accommodation must be adequately met for the benefit and convenience of the travelling public. It is the" practical man —-the one who has daily to cater for xho many—who thoroughly understands this, and none better than Mr. J. Hodson, of " Silver Grid" fame. His business in the Avenue has so rapidly increased, and so many demands were made—riot only for board, but for lodging—that he determined to build in -conjunction with his dining and supper room a new and up-to-date hotel. The Jiito chosen in Ridgway Street is an .admirable one, the locality being particularly healthy, abutting as it does •on Cook's Gardens, only one minute's walk from the railway station, the wharves and Post Office, and therefore .specially adapted for the convenience of .patrons. . . ' The plans for the building were prepared by Mr. T. H. Battle, and at the outset be it remarked that the architect is to be, complimented on his usual ifikill in making use of every inch of .space at his command, as "will be demonstrated later on. The frontage of -tho solid-looking building to Ridgway :Street is 64 feet, running back to a •depth of 70 feet, and having a balcony 24 feet long extending across the footpath from and to the main entrance. •Once inside the folding doors there is •every evidence that the guest is welcome; there may be silent, but there is ■certainly eloquent testimony that the stranger within the gate will receive that hospitality which every Britisher is naturally proud of. . For instance, tho entrance hall—l 6 x 10^-gives immediate access to the office, alongside -of which is the writing-room. Then, in front, is the dining-room—34 x 24— -whilst on the right is the commercial room, 18 feet square. An arched entrance to the left leads to an inner hall, out-of. which ascends the staircase, and a door leading to the private part •of tho house, including lavatory, etc. ■ jjpstairs, there is a spacious hall, or vestibule, 14ft. square, from which branch off the corridors leading to the "' bedrooms, arid at the enl of each corridor is every convenience in the form -oi bathrooms, lavatories, etc. Very to the landing is a ladies' -sitting-roomj then further on is a gon-'e-ral sitting-room leading to "the balcony, from which, by tho way, theie is obtainable a splendid view. There are- in all fiome thirty bedrooms, several of them 'being double-bedded, and here, be it remarked, that, as in other particulars, the furnishing is on the most modern (approved principles for the purposes of comfort combined with the best of sanitary arrangements. Travellers all recognise" that one of the most essential requisites in the matter -.of sleeping is ventilation, and assuredly these bedrooms have been planned and carried out in that direction. As to the culinary part of the establishment, the kitchen is very roomy, iitted with a fine large Orion range, which whilst effecting ' the necessary cooking, also supplies hot water for tho baths; and mention must be further -■made of the hot water dishes so conveniently situated for the prompt dispensing of the meal to satisfy the hun- ' .gry- '■ .■ . .■ ■ ■•■,'■ '; Returning to the dining-room—axcei-lent taste has been shown in its decora-, •tion, the. prevailing tint being blue and crtfarav and set off with the soliit bngptelooking furniture and apptir- . tenances^ihe effect is charming to the " - eye; in fact, .in all the surroundingsiroiii Oilcloths to ceilings, and from pic ; ture&'.'tb. plotters and cutlery^, ; not only.the best ..of;: taste, lias ;been bbseryedj but evidently no ] expense llaa- been . -spared to make " Parkville" a thoroughly up^tp-date private hotel.,r t V Mr. J. Hocfeori -wjas "fortunate in: se*■curing "the services' o|; Mr .'Battle as his ■architect,? a? 'also \ those ~pfj: Mr:/ "S.:''Gy as c6tftl;actor,,Vaiid' iii. brackettirig -the names 6|."iMes^rs!j- %.; aiid: E^ Tingey (painting Vsad 'ide'c^.ting^'':l>;.-'''May-and % Bluett (bribklaying), it may be certainly staled that better work has tfiot been turned out in Wan•ganui. :■■ A ''' ■.'.....,:;. '■''"''[ :iw;''.";;:.'° " It only reinains' to'a'ddjthat Mr.- J. Hodsoh's' enterprise. is ' commendable. "Naturally it is looked upon from an outside source ;as a ;purel^ 7business' con>oern, ;~but uhderlyiiig that •it muat be admitted that such adequate , catering "tor the requirements of the gehefal; -public is worhy of the most geriuiriesusrtained support, and /iwith : his many , friends iii and arpundl the district we wish him^every success in lii^ Tamest en%i;erprise..v* :- . , ..-.•^■••■•.: •:.. -^^ ■■-..■,•: .;