McMILLAN, RHODES & CO.

Manawatu Herald, Volume II, Issue II, 10 December 1889, Page 2

McMILLAN, RHODES & CO.

This firm have now entered into ofcttuptftton p'f their new premises iv Maiu-sireet, ana &f tM# gilding is the best, aud a credit to the ioitnj « description of it may prove interesting,. Though all undW one roof, the biMile&j is ti.dpt; In' t#<>' depai-Cmerits, the drapery and clothing 'tieiifg in 1 the left of the entrance, and the grocery and hardware on the right. The building stands '2s' feet high, and cJoteitf a \Viffth of ,44 feet, and runs back 94 feefc. l{ is biult M the best of timbers, aud the walls ailcf fcfaf' are covered with iron. The Drapery. Department is 37ft lefag ami 25ft wide, is fitted with two long counters, fffftThas the fullest complement of shelving, on' wliieh ! are displayed a very large, valuable, i a^d eippsive stock of new and seasoria'We goods'., ,Mr De Bidde* having charge of thi3 (te'pdfim^tA is a guarantee of the selection being good, and that customers will meet with every attention and civility. The whole of the walls are match li,riejqf and varni«hed, and two good dKjrligiife tirorw plenty of daylight in!o those portions ftw'tfy' &om the entrance. The ceiling is w&kh titled and painted a light blue. Ttie counters are of a very bold design and carefully made, the counter tops bein 1^ slabs, of kauri of the full width. Out of this department you enter under an arched partition- the boot room, lighted by a side window, with shelving on two sides for boots of all kinds There •nil he handsome curtains 1 .oped across this opening, so that when cle' fretl the'eurhins can bo drawn, thus securing complete privacy. Facing the drapery department is the book-keeper's office, and here Me. A. Fra-er remaius in charge. A side .counter runs down the office for a portion of its depth, where those requiring receipts can attend and ob tain the same.

Adjoining this office is the private office of the firm'p, which they wi 1 use for their correspondence, and the conduct of that portion of l<heir business which is more wholesale, than will he looked after in the retail portions of the buildimr. Both oSles are niached-lined and varnished throughout, and are both provided with firoplaces. The entrance to the firm's office is direct from the grocery department, but there is a d<>or also between the two offices. The Grocery and Hardware portion is built in exactly the the same manner as its neighbour, but has only one counter, thus throwing more floor space for the display °f heavier goods, The width of this shop is 19 feetj and runs an equal depth to the Drapery shop, an opening in the partition giving access all round, Mr Philpott's, an experienced grocer, 'attends solely to this branch. A passage passing the firm's private office, leads to the sample room for spirits, and also to the store in which all bulky article sare keptIv the yard is a building used for the residence of one of the hands, and also as a flour = store. The building has a veiy large frontage, and the windows are made with squares 50 x .48 inches, whbh thus enable the goods within to be viewed to the fullest advantage. A veranda 11 feet high projects over the footpath and forms a hand some additiou to the elevation. The building was designed by the proprietor in conjunction with Messrs Bacon & Speirs of this town, and they are to oe complimented on the very excellent arrangements and designs furnished. Mr George Nye supervised the work whilst in course of erection, and speaks highly of the faithful execution of the plan-. "■ .. Messrs Jonso.n, Hecker and Lieden were the builders (though they have now dissolved partnership), and though they tendered low, have in nowise eudeavoured to scamp their work. The owner is particularly well pleased with the manner they have ca' ried all details ou ••, and th c building will bear the closest inspection in every part. The painting has..beon done by Mr F. Jenks, and the lettering on the fanlights over the dopr show his possession of a thorough knowledge of his trade. "Wo congratulate Mr McMillan on the possession of "a valuable property and the firm' of Messrs Me Millan Ehodes & Co of such commodious premises, and we trust their enterprise will be suitably rewarded.