TEMPORARY PREMISES FOR BALLANTYNES

Chronicle (Levin), 14 January 1948, Page 2

TEMPORARY PREMISES FOR BALLANTYNES

Press ■■Association)r-> " •

(Per

CHRISTCHURCH, Jan. 13. The Minister of Works, Hon. R. Semplc, who visited Christchurch today, authorised the distriet building controller to issue a perrnit for the lmmediate construction of temporary buildings for J. Ballantvne and Company Ltd. The building will be on the site of the iire which nearly two inont.'is ago caused the loss_ of >41 lives and destroyed Dunstable House, thueestoried premises covering one acre where the business had been carried on for many years. In the reconstruction the existmg exterior and dividing walls, most of which are sound for one storey, will be used. A temporary one-storey building will be ereeted aloug the •whcle fronta;ge on Colombo and Casliel Streets with a depth of 54 feet, said the architect, Mr. G. T. Lucas, last evening. Most of the remaining walls and girders would carrv the structuie. 'yie verandah along Cashol Street wculd probably remain and a temporary one would be put up along Colombo Street. Tt was expected that legal inspections which have delaved the completion of the demolition of the d.'ngerous 'upper walls, would cnd this week and thai the contractors for this job would be able to continue. "Mr. Lucas said that when the demolitions wero completed, a start with the building would be made on Colombo StreeL Detaileo plans had «till to be aetuallv approved.