Bodley's “Vaudeville” (Private Hotel—George Bodley, Proprietor), No. 47 Lambton Quay, Wellington. Telegraphic address, “Bodley's, Wellington.” Telephone 251. Bankers, Bank of New Zealand. It has long been a reproach to Wellington that there has not been a private hotel, at which visitors might stay and be comfortable. This reproach is at last removed, and in a very effective way, Mr. Bodley established himself in Wellington in 1889, and from that time he has been exceedingly successful. Beginning in a rather small way opposite the Bank of New Zealand, he several times increased the dimensions of his premises; and, in 1895, built the first two stories of his present establishment. The extra accommodation thus afforded was almost immediately absorbed by his growing connection, and the two stories now added soon became an absolute necessity. The “Vaudeville” contains a hundred rooms, and will accommodate about a hundred visitors. It is of brick and plaster throughout, the front being of pressed bricks with sufficient plaster in imitation of stone to produce a very pleasing effect. The “Vaudeville” is being fitted up with every modern convenience, including the electric light. There are no fewer than nine bath-rooms, all fitted with hot and cold water, besides numerous lavatories, etc. Separate drawing and dining rooms are provided for gentlemen and ladies and gentlemen, besides several smaller sitting, reading and writing rooms. Mr. G. G. Schwartz is the architect, and Messrs. Lamb and Sons are the builders now completing the additions. Mr. Bodley is determined that his hotel shall be popular. His choice of site could hardly be beaten. Situated in Lambton Quay, the principal street in town, and exactly facing Grey Street, leading straight to the wharf, from which it is distant less than two minutes' walk, within a stone's cast of all the banks and the Post Office, and quite close to all the shipping offices—it would be difficult to suggest a better site. The cabstand is near enough to be exceedingly handy, yet not close enough to be objectionable, while all the trams, coaches and 'buses pass the door. The Café is well patronized, which is not surprising when it is remembered that for a dinner of four courses tickets may be had for 9s. the dozen of 5s. the half-dozen. The tariff for visitors is 4s. 6d. per day—wonderfully cheap considering all the advantages offered by this really fine hotel. All kinds of summer drinks, strawberries and cream, raspberries and cream, and all page 667 page 668 seasonable delicacies may be had at all times. In fact the hotel is one of the most complete in the Colony. Mr. Bodley, the enterprising proprietor, is a West of England man, being born at Taunton, in Somersetshire, and passing his earlier years in Devonshire, where he attended the renowned Peter Blundell's Grammar School, removing subsequently to London, where his education was continued by private tuition. In 1867 Mr. Bodley came to this Colony, per ship “Star of Tasmania.” Landing in Dunedin, he spent some three or four years in farming pursuits in Otago, and then crossed to Australia, where he continued a country life—sheep-shearing and sheep-farming—both in Victoria and New South Wales. In 1873 he returned to Dunedin, where he worked for three years at the building trade. Then coming on to Wellington at the expiration of that period, he worked at the Government buildings and other large undertakings. Going once more to Dunedin in 1887, Mr. Bodley continued at the building trade for some time; but, work in that line becoming very slack, he determined to try the fruit trade, and shortly after started the Star Café. Encouraged by his success in the new venture, Mr. Bodley entered into negotiations for the building of the “Leviathan” It will be remembered that in 1884 a fine new station was promised for Dunedin, and work was actually begun. Rightly conceiving that the vicinity of this station would be an admirable site for a temperance hotel and café on a grand scale, Mr. Bodley thought himself exceedingly fortunate in securing the corner of High and Cumberland Streets, exactly opposite the proposed new station. In full confidence that a work actually commenced would be carried to completion by the railway authorities, Mr. Bodley pushed ahead with the “Leviathan”; fitting and furnishing it in first-rate style. The new Dunedin station, however, was “kept steadily in view,” and the old one was removed across from High Street to Rattray Street, a high fence being placed opposite the “Leviathan” instead of the new station. Though the station has not yet been built, changes have been made resulting in great advantages to the “Leviathan”; but Mr. Bodley was unable to wait for these, being, in fact, reduced in a few months to the necessity of giving up the struggle against such odds. Accordingly he opened the Tramway Restaurant, and here he was successful in recouping a good portion of his losses by the “Leviathan”; for, as was but natural, he had the sympathy of the public thoroughly with him. In 1887, the general exodus of all classes from New Zealand, and particularly from Dunedin, led Mr. Bodley to try Wellington as a field for his operations. So far he has been exceedingly successful, not only in the business he has hitherto carried on, but also in the purchase of the ground for his new building. Before the completion of the first two stories he could have sold at a large profit; but having good faith in his venture, he decided to carry his design to completion by erecting what must be admitted to be one of Wellington's finest hotels.

The Trocadero (Harry Price, proprietor), 54 and 56 Willis Street, Wellington. Telegraphic address, “Trocadero, Wellington.” Telephone 735. Bankers, Bank of New South Wales. The Trocadero occupies a foremost place among the restaurants of Australasia, and, indeed, would not suffer by comparison with many gastronomic establishments in European cities. The building, which is of two stories, and comprises 10,000 square feet of space, has undergone considerable renovation and structural alteration. The frontage is handsome and imposing, and the interior is a wealth of artistically blended colour, and does great credit to the skill and judgment of the decorator, Mr. Emil Balmüller, now of Wellington and formerly of the School of Berlin. The rooms are illuminated by electric light, and at night when the forty-five lamps are alight, the interior presents a brilliant spectacle. The visitor on entering finds himself in a spacious vestibule. To the left is the general dining-room, a well-lighted, roomy apartment with a capacity to comfortably seat seventy persons, and near the entrance are the manager's office and pay counter. To the right is a well-equipped reading-room, comfortably furnished. Ascending the page 670 handsome staircase the visitor now finds himself in a wellappointed balcony, giving access to a sumptuously furnished suite of rooms. To the left is a room provided for ladies accompanied by gentlemen, with accommodation for forty persons; then there are two private supper rooms, and an afternoon-tea room, opening out on the front balcony; and at the-zear is the banquet hall for public and private functions, arranged to seat one hundred and fifty persons. The various rooms are fitted up to seat at one time no fewer than three hundred and forty persons. The needs of visitors are attended to by a staff of five waiters and one waitress, who are most assiduous in the performance of their duties, and most obliging in manner. Employment is given in the various departments to sixteen assistants. Lunch is provided from 12 to 2; tea from 5 to 8; and supper from 8 to 1 a.m. The charge for the mid-day meal and for tea is one shilling. “Viands of various kinds allure the taste,” and the quality is of the best. That a menu so varied and high-class can be provided for so small a sum as one shilling is evidently a triumph of good management. The consumption of food in an establishment of this kind is, of course, very great. For instance, the butcher's bill accounts for just on two tons of meat per month, and no fewer than twelve thousand two-pound loaves disappear in the same period. People do not go to a Barmecides feast when they visit “The Trocadero.” Oyster suppers are, of course, a feature, and lovers of the succulent bivalve are provided for almost all the year round. No pains are spared to keep the supper - rooms select, so that ladies and gentlemen may visit the establishment without fear of annoyance. The proprietor is to be congratulated upon the page 671 success which has so far attended this extensive undertaking. Mr. Price is a native of Great Yarmouth, Norfolk, England, and came to the Colony in 1873.