The new hotel and refreshment rooms at the principal stopping station on the (M..) Line Railway may now be considered complete, there being nothing wanting but a few articles of furniture, which are either in the hands of the cabinet makers or in transit.

For many years past the small building occupied by Mr. Johnson, has been totally inadequate to the demands made upon it, both in regard to the supply of refreshments for every passing trainload of people, and in the matter of accommodation for the many who desire to break the journey across the island. When the former proprietor thought of retiring, a proposal was made to him to sell out to a company, and upon him agreeing to do so the Parattah Hotel Co. was formed to purchase the old building and erect large and commodious additions upon a much better scale than any yet attempted in Tasmania.

Mr Fagg, architect, of Hobart, was commissioned to prepare plans, and the design he selected is a pleasing change in our colonial architecture. There is nothing new in it, except so far as the colony is concerned, as the building is of the Queen Anne style, and composed of rock-faced masonry to the level of the first floor, and above that walls and gables in the English half-timbered style. Tasmanian architects have not yet attempted anything very different from the style of the houses erected here 50 years ago. In the cities and towns of the adjoining colonies there is a variety in the character of the buildings, but in this country one house differs very little from another. However, in the edifice under review there is a picturesqueness which harmonises with the surroundings, and best of all, a maximum amount of accommodation provided at a minimum cost.

The building is nearer the railway platform than the old one, and the entrance in the centre opens onto the large refreshment room, 54ft. by 20ft. A substantial counter, with some neat carving in places, runs the full length of the room, and tables sufficient to seat 60 people are placed in a row along the centre. The great length of counter enables a much larger number than that named to partake of refreshment during the short time the train stays at the station, and as the number of people who travel during the winter months is much less than in summer, arrangements can be made to divide this room, and then convert what would otherwise be a cold hall into a snuggery.

Behind the counter there is a cosy little parlour where persons waiting for trains can enjoy a pipe and a glass, discuss the daily news, and at the end there is a large billiard room, equipped with one of Alcock’s best tables and all apparatuses.

There is a every convenience for supplying thirsty players with anything they require without going from one room to another, slides being placed in the walls. About the centre of the large room a small passage toward the rear of the building leads to a (……) and cemented storeroom, in which perishable goods can be kept cool, and on the opposite side of it is the pantry. Hot and cold water is laid on all over the place, and it is very conveniently placed in the pantry and brought up under the counter in the refreshment room with a view to economising labour as much as possible.

The old hotel bar is being converted into the office of the company, and at the rear of it is a waiting room for ladies, who may be resting at the hotel to meet a train, but before anything further is done to the office it would be advisable to make it the waiting room, because from the window occupants of it could see trains arrive and depart, and refreshments could be supplied through a slide in the wall.