Some structural alterations are now in progress at the Peak Hotel that will matetially improve that building and render it a real rival to the Mount Austin. Ido not know who was responsible for the addition to the plan of a block at the rear which not only darkened the whole of the back of the main building but was so thoroughly dreary that the rooms were never tenanted. Their only outlook was into the back windows of the front block and the side of the cutting in which it was deposited. Visitors to the Peak do not go there to immure themselves in dungeons, so they rejected these rooms even at $10 a month. This block is now in course of demolition, and the materials are to be used in the erection of two wings, one at either end of the main building, which will provide umber of rooms all enjoying splendid views, and therefore equally lettable with those on the front elevation. The hotel is also being repainted and colour-washed, and being so close to the Tramway it must naturally come into great favour with summer visitors tothe Peak. As a place of residence the Peak district is steadily growing in popularity. Usually in the winter there is great clearance and many empty houses. This year, however, the flitting has been so small as scarcely to be noticeable, and there are not more than half a dozen houses to let at the present moment. Rents are still very low, and that of course is no slight inducement, but the pure air, the freedom from smells, and the quietude are gradually making their advantages felt.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.