Brisbane Courier (Qld. : 1864 - 1933), Wednesday 28 June 1911, page 10


PEOPLE'S PALACE.

OPENED BY COMMISSIONER

HAY.

_I

SALVATION ARMY ENTERPRISE.

The Salvation Army is the latest con tributor to the boarding accommodation of the metropolis. Yesterday it opened the imposing four story brick and stone building which has been erected on tlie corner of Ann and Edward streets for the accommodation of the travelling public. It has been christened the People's Palace, in keeping with similar institutions in other capital cities of the Commonwealth, and its tower on the corner of the two thoroughfares invitingly faces the Central Ballway Station. Its purpose and scope were pithily expressed by Commissioner Hay, the leader of the Salvation Army in Australasia, in unlocking the main en trance. He said the palace was intended

as a safe place for morals, a safe place on temperance lines, a safe place in regard to gambling, and generally a safe house conducted on the very best lines to bless and help the people. Any profits derived from the palace, he added, would be de voted to helping on the great works of mercy of the Salvation Army.

The Commissioner having unfurled a (Salvation Army flag on the staff of the tower, amid cheers, led a large company through tlie /building to show them the kind of accommodation offered. With him was Colonel Saunders, the chief architect and builder to the Army, who was (responsible for tho designing of the structure, and who was cordially con gratulated upon the airiness and brightness of the rooms and the convenience of the whole scheme of accommodation. The palace contains 130 bedrooms, variously furnished with single beds, two beds, and double beds, charming lounges in the tower, and ample lavatory and bathroom accommodation for both sexes, with hot and cold water, on each floor. The build ing is lighted with electricity and is pro vided with plenty of handy fire extinguish ing appliances, the necessity for which is reduced to a minimum by the entire absence of woodwork in the walls, steel lathing and plaster having been used

Verandas are provided all round the build-ing on each floor. A notable feature of the

palace is a roof garden capable of scat ing 2000 persons, who will be conveyed thither by electric elevator. It is claimed that this roof garden is the largest in Queensland. Its floor is of petrite a fire-proof patent material, which has also been used on the Edward street floor, where the dining room is situated. This is a spacious apartment, bright with its scheme of white and cream decoration, capable of seating 200 people. At the side is a pri-vate dining room for parties. The well appointed kitchen and offices are handy, and the dining room is readily accessible from Edward-street. The whole building has been treated with Hodges s kalomine and Endura cold water paint, a colonial manufacture made from New South Wales pigments. The paint, steel lathing and petrite were supplied by Messrs Sadgrove and Connah, Courier Building.

After the tour of inspection the company were entertained to afternoon tea, and there was a little speechmaking. Among the Salvationists present were Commis sioner and Mrs Hay, Lieutenant-Colonel Burslems (Melbourne), Staff Captain Imirie, Colonel Saunders, Brigadier Win ter (the Queensland chief), and Major Wil on, who will manage the palace The Commissioner emphasised what he had said in opening the building, and said it would be a first class temperance hotel The only thing not first class was the charges, which were third class. It would be a comfortable place to stay in, and a good place for friendliness and for a timely word about God and conversion. Texts would be hung in every room, and a Testa ment would be placed m every bedroom. Similar palaces elsewhere were being greatly appreciated, and it would have been a discredit to an aggressive centre like Queensland-, where the people had plenty of money and did so much travelling, if Brisbane was not provided

with its palace.