W.F.C.A. AND WOOL

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 80, 28 December 1917, Page 5

W.F.C.A. AND WOOL

AN IMPORTANT BRANCH NEW MODERN STORE ON THORNDON QUAY. ' It is not to be expected that an association so intimately associated with the farmer, and his needs would ■not be connected with the produce 'of the man on the land. The W.F.C.A., at all events, is no exception to the general rule. Wool is being handled in increas-i ing quantities every, season, and it is only' in the order. of things connected with a big thriyitig firm that the amount of wool being handled this year constitutes a new record for the association. Ever since its inception the association has handled wool, for somo years in a comparatively modest :way, but during the last five or six ypars this branch of the business has received special attention with gratifying results to all concerned. Up to and including the season.of. 1915,.the association exhibited in Wellington. in the Harbour Board's sheds. Last year a ftore was secured oh Thorndon Quay, and part of the showins: was done there. It 'was then made quite apparent that a- much larger store was needed, 60, without any further to do, the section adjoining the old store on Thorndon Quay was secured, plans for a thoroughly up-to-date brick store of three floors were prepared by Messrs. Pcnty and and a tender was let to Mr. R. Sanders. Thanks to such foresight the 6tore has just been completed in the nick of time to cope with the rush of the sensor., and anyone passing.along Thorndon Quay may see the loaded lorries of wool passing in and out of the two entrances throughout tho whole of the working day. The new store, a plain, but dignified 'structure, with tho' elevation finished in red pressed brick, with tasteful cement dressings, has '<a. frontage to Thorn-

don Quay of 66ft. by a depth of 100 ft,, giving a floor spaco (over three, flats) of nearly 20,000 square foot.. It is purposed reserving tlio two top floors for showing the wool, and something like 2000 bales may he shown there at one' time by judicious stacking. The top, floor is magnificently lighted from -the roof,, and thanks to a very admirable system of ventilation, wool valuers who have worked on the floor testify that the conditions, which are fairly exacting, are, excellent'. The middle floor is almost as good, and quite well adapted for showing wool to good advantage. 'On the ground floor a concrete area on a level with the ground has been niadu for the'treatment of hides; whilst elsewhere on the same floor there is ample office accommodation, a buyers' room, and a lunch and dressingroom for the storemen. The store is replete with electric hoists for 'tlio rapid- handling of the bales of wool from tho lorries to the various floors, whilst a special featuro in the form of chutes euaoles tho staff to transfer wool

from an upper to a Ibwer _ floor } gravity with muck ease and dispatch.; For convenience of working] ope ings bavo been cut in the brick ws of the old store, where. it is ...intend; to handle the m3es, skins, and' ts low, though in the height of-the 6o son The ground space will probably I commandeered for the. storage of wo passing through.Wellington. ' Such are the prospects that t) W.F.C.A. have secured another sootio' between the old store and tho brain tramway line to the Manawatu St tion, and at a later date will. i doubt extend their stores to cover tl entire Llock—an area of 198 ft. 1 100 ft. . . ' ';