TOWN IMPROVEMENTS.

Marlborough Express, Volume XXXIV, Issue 4, 5 January 1900, Page 4

TOWN IMPROVEMENTS.

We have again the pleasure to chronicle the completion of additional permanent buildings m the town, erected this time by Messrs Rmaleand Havon the site adjoining their own premises " London House." The ground occupied (with a small stri[, subsequently purchased from Mr William Oarr) is where an historic bhek of wooden buildings stood till removed by fire, which cleared away a dangerous collection of msch-b"xes, not before they had served their time or become antiquated. These new buildings consist of two double shops built m brick on concrete foundations and timber lined throughout, with plateglass fronts and handsome and ornamental iron verandahs to Market Street South (now under contract) the width of the footpath, and formin gf, with those from the Masonic corner, a continuous colonado, which has lately been most brilliantly lighted by incandeacenHamps. The new shops have each 20 feet frontagr by 50 feet of depth, and consist of lofty and well ventilated rooms, which are entered from ')\?, street by double glass doors with receding side windows so as to allow of steps up to the floor, which is judiciously placed above fl od level— a datum l-iudence should adopt m all new buildings as a safeguard against a possible breach m the banks, v permitting the entrance of the watery

enemy.

The premises adjoining " London Rruse " are already let and occupied by Mr Mortis, whose, valuable boot stock is now seen to advantage. The oth^r shop, waiting for counters and gasfittii g and a final cleaning up,' is unoccupied as yet, but will, no doubt, soon find a tenant and add its lights to this end of Mft»ket Street, which then only requires the gap between it and Mr Oarr's shops filling m to complp'e this central portion of Blenbek.. ait Bott, of MarlboroughtnTa, was the contractor for all the 'wood-work and fittings, assisted by Mr Dison; the concrete and brickwork being entrusted to Messrs Draper and Elliot, who had materials provided by the owners. The plumbing and gas-fittings were contracted for by Mr W. Oarr, and the painting and glazing was secured at tender by Mr Oscar Norgrove, who has made excellent work. Mr H. B. Buddleston was the architect, and the whole has been carried out from start to finish without accident or hitch and to the satisfaction of all concerned.

Buildings of the character commented upon are not only public conveniences, but judicious investments for capital, the insurance upon them being at the lowest rate, and the cost of their maintenance comparatively nil. We congratulate our spirited townsmen on th?ir wise venture, and only hope more owners of town sections will speedily follow their example to the great advantage of themselves and the improvement of the northern capital of the Middle Island,