“Loudon’s” Corner.

Manawatu Herald, 3 May 1902, Page 2

“Loudon’s” Corner.

For many years an old building at the corner of the Avenue and Parkstreet has been a standing eyesore to the town. For reasons best known to himself the owner of the property allow d it to be buffeted by the winds of heaven and the hands of man. Windows were broken up-stairs and down-stairs and in my lady's chamber. Paint had been on the woodwork but had left, 1 ashamed of its quarters, yet no effort was made to make the property habitable. The aspect of the property, is now changing for the batter. A little while ago Mr Edmund Osborne, of the Centre of Commerce, had the bad.luck of getting his residence wholly destroyed by fire. Timber being difficult to obtain, when you want it, and no dwellings being procurable, necessity forced him to secure this no man’s land, and Mr Osborne’s bad luck has become the public’s good luck, as Mr Osborne likes to have things nice, and has thus got carpenters at work transforming the heretofore eyesore into a very comfortable residence. The start has only lately been, made, and it is not expected possession will be obtained for some months. , We are convinced that Mr Osborne has made an exceedingly good speculation, as the building that had been allowed to go to wreck is built of the heart of totara, and of large measurement timber, and the wood, were the saw in the necessary transformations now being carried out, shows as solid as the day it was cut. Mr E. P. Osborne has charge of the alterations and repairs so that sound and neat work will be secured. The whole building has been put secure; the wooden blocks have been .strengthened by. brick piles being built between them the roof and guttering has been repaired and renewed, and all glass put in. Even this first move has made the corner brighter. The new entrance to the house will be from Park street into a hall from which a staircase will lead to the upstairs over the two large shops. On the left of the entrance will be the diningroom, and adjoining it the kitchen and bathroom. Up-stairs there is a very large drawingroom and five bedrooms. All through the building there will he fresh papering and painting, as well as outside, and when ail is complete people will wonder why they never saw the money there is in this “ spec.” We wish Mr Osborne all good luck, as every improvement he makes advances the value of all property in town.