THE WAIKATO HOTEL BUILDING, HAMILTON

Waikato Times, Volume XIII, Issue 1097, 5 July 1879, Page 3

THE WAIKATO HOTEL BUILDING, HAMILTON

In a few days, the large new hotel at East Hamilton, designed by Mr I. R. Vialou, architect, and built by Mr Thorpe, builder, of Hamilton, will be taken ever from the latter. The hotel is one of the finest m the Province— a three-storied brick building, with handsome facade to two streets; and, though not strictly buUt after the Doric, may be correctly described as after the Doric and composite order. The windows are circular headed, as are also the main and side entrances. Erected at the comer of two streets, the architect has practically solved the reverse of the great mathematical problem, and has circled the square. The entrance to the bar, by large massive and highlyfinished doors, is m the centre of the curve ; the main entrance to the hotel being m the centre of the principal frontage, that on Grey street. At this entrance there is a vestibule, with folding glass doors, hung with double-action hinges, which leads into a spacious hall. The landings on the first and second floors are also spacious and well lighted; indeed, the whole of the interior arrangements have been studied with .a view to convenience, oomfort, and the economy of labour. From the smallest bedroom m the third storey to the spacious drawingrooms on the first, and the large double dinin groom on the ground floor, every room is fitted with a lever hell-pull, which communicates with the bells fixed on the bell board m the landing ; and to these are fixed pendulums, which indicate the No. of the room from which the summons has been issued. The waiters' pantry is handily situated between the dining-room and the Idtchen. Water is laid on, audit is fitted with a washing up sink, and has a window which connects with the kitchen, for the purpose of passing the viands fromthe kitchen to the diningroom, without carrying them along the passage. The second floor is fitted with bathroom for either shower or full bath, and the other ( necessary conveniences of 'a well ordered establishment. On the first floor are two very handsome drawingrooms, the windows of which command extensivo and pleasant views of the town and country, well lighted and lofty. And the bedrooms on the second floor, or third storey, have most of them double windows, and are carried up square into the roof. The builders' work throughout is well finished, the handsomely moulded ceilings are as fine a piece of workmanship of the kind as conld be seen ; and, indeed, throughout, the finish of the work and the quality of the material used, is most creditable to the contractor, Mr Thorpe; It is a pleasure to see contracts so well and so faithfully earned out, as is the case with some, at least, of our local contractors. There is a passage leading up into the roof which is leaded, with cement ballustrade round the outside, and will form an excellent promenade m fine weather, from which a magnificent view may be obtained. The Hamilton Hall is built into the new hotel and the space below has been converted into a billiard room, to whioh, also, there is a side entrance. The billiard room is capable of holding two tables, is well lighted, and handsomely decorated with moulded ceilings, panelling, &c.