THE L.V. PORTRAIT GALLERY.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Volume VII, Issue 361, 24 June 1897, Page 11

THE L.V. PORTRAIT GALLERY.

Mr R. Scott was born near the town of Omagh, County Tyrone, Ireland, and was, at the age of fourteen years, engaged in a large mercantile house in the City of Dublin, where he remained until the term of his apprenticeship was completed. He was then appointed a buyer for the firm, his transactions being conducted principally in London. In the year 1878 he left the Old Country for New Zealand, and, on arrival here, he was engaged in one of the largest mercantile firms in New Zealand, and continued in the same line of trade up to the year 1888, when he left for Sydney. In that city, and subsequently in Melbourne, he still continued in mercantile operations. In 1891 he returned to this colony, where he represented five of the largest manufacturing firms in Great Britain for a term of about four years. In 1895 he retired from mercantile enterprises and became the proprietor of the Royal Mail Hotel, Victoria Street. Auckland, one of the oldest family and commercial hotels in the city. Since taking possession of this popular hostelry Mr Scott has spared neither trouble or expense to make it a popular and comfortable house, and the testimonials he has received from his patrons proves to demons!ate that his efforts have been crowned with unqualified success. The hotel has twenty-six large well-ventilated bedrooms, together with four sitting-rooms, a large smokingroom, and the neuclus of what will soon be a large library, as the latest books and periodicals are added to it every month. There is also a large billiard-room, which contains one of the best tables in Auckland. The house is well provided with fire escapes of the most modern character, and a night-porter is always in attend-

ance. There are also large sample-rooms for commercial travellers, Mr Scott’s large experience in the “ trade” having enabled him to provide the exact accommodation in this important particular. The house is supplied with hot and cold baths, and, speaking generally, it is well qualified to supply all the requirements of the greatest epecure or the most fastidious amongst the travelling public. In a word it does supply all the requirements of a first-class hotel, and, at the same time, visitors can be as private as though they were in their detached villas. Mrs Scott heartily co-operates in the management, and to her efforts much of the popularity of the Royal Mail is attributable. Mr Scott has direct communication with two large livery stables, and by these means can supply his patrons with horses and vehicles at the shortest notice.