COOKSON’S NEW STABLES.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume III, Issue 639, 18 May 1882, Page 2

COOKSON’S NEW STABLES.

We yesterday had an opportunity of iii- ' specting Mr E. Cookson’s new stables in ' Wills street, and which occapyuthe site of 1 the premises so mysteriously destroyed by l fire nearly half a year ago. It says much. ' for the pluck and enterprise of Mr Cookson that, undeterred by the great misfortune that befell him in December last, he should have so quickly provided himself with the handsome and substantial brick . and iron substitute for the old wooden stables so familiar to ancient Ashburtonians. We have already published some account of the new stables, which we will now supplement by a few fresh particulars. The new stables are 35ft high, 50ft wide, and 87ft long. They contain, sixteen stalls »and four loose boxes (other four boxes being erected in the yard at the rear, making eight in all), and.in addition to these are the feedroom, harness room (to right on entering), and the office and-sleeping apartment, to the left. The space between the too of thb stalls on either side of the building and the roof, is devoted to loft accommodation, and so much room is available here that 10,000 bushels of grain could be easily stowed away in the lofts, if necessary. The building is well lighted, well fitted, rind especially well ventilated. One great feature is the division of the stalls, which are so constructed as to keep each house totally distinct from its neighbor, the partitions between the stalls being furnished with what are known as ramp heads. Those who know the mischief

wrought by badly-eonstructed stalls permitting horses to kick and bite one mother through the partitions, will appreciate, the arrangement noticeable at these stables, which are fitted up after the English style. Each stall, we may mention is furnished with a ventilator —a most important “ fixing ” in a stable. Half way up" the building is a capacious bin, capable of -holding 300 bushels of oats, and which communicates by means of a shoot with tho feed room on the groundfloor. At the back of the stalls an asphalte foot-way is to be laid on either side, fitted with a channel to carry off liquid refuse, etc. The main floor is to be of clay, well puddled and rammed down. The harness room, which is to the left on entering, is a compact apartment, extremely well finished, the wood-work being of the very best. This room is to bo nicely varnished and comfortably furnished, as it is the proprietor’s intention to make it serve as a waiting-room for his ■ customers, as well as a‘harness room. The building is not yet out of the painters’ and carpenters’ hands, hut Mi Cookson is now in possession, having moved hi on Monday last. When all the arrangements are completed, which wil: be in a few days’ time now, the enter prising proprietor will possess the best appointed stables in the colony. He has our hearty wishes for his success in thi new premises.