TOWN IMPROVEMENTS.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume IX, Issue 243, 13 October 1874, Page 2

TOWN IMPROVEMENTS.

The building trade bas been more brisk of late in Nelson than has been the case for some time, and the result is an increased number of large warehouses in our streets. The first to be noticed is Messrs. H. Davis & Co. _ Bonded Store. ; This fine structure is erected opposite tbe Post Office, and is 76 feet in length by 42 in widtb, and 34 in height. The u|es to which the building is to be: devoted renders strength indispensable, ahd that quality has consequently been mjore studied than appearance. The walls are built upon strong piles, dHven into the ground to the depth of twelve feet, and placed two feet eight inches apart, while within these rows arc four othera of the same size, running the whole length of the building. Upon these are placed the necessary plates, which form a basis for 16 wooden posts, upon which rest four r<j>ws of beams 12 inches by 6 inches. These being parallel -with the piles, serve the purpose of supporting the jrjists of the upper floor. The joists in both floors, while adequately strong, have the further advantago of each being in one piece, the length being equal to the width of the building. Io congruity with the rest of the building, the studs are 6 x 4 and 6 x 3 alternately, and are in no case at a greater distance from each other than 11| inches. Double plates are also introduced ot the joisting of each floor. The whole is covered with a bound roof secured with iron straps, and the beams, which are 11 x 6, are, as in the case of the joists, in one length running the whole width of the building. The roof, which in every respect is • rendered sufficiently strong, is covered with slates. The exterior of' the walls; except that which faces the north, are covered with strong galvanised iron, No. 20 gauge. The dressiugs on the front and back walls are covered with zinc in order to render the building to some extent fire-proof. All the interior of the walls is liued with timber. j The amount of goods which the s.oro i is estimated to hold is 1000 tons, but it may be made to contain of hardware or heavy merchandise not less tban from 1500 to 1800 tons. The architect was Mr Scotland, and the builders Messrs Bethwaite and Robertson. Messrs. Everett Bros.' DraperEstablishment. This is another very fine building, which is a real credit to tbe town. It has a frontage to Bridge-street of 45

feet, wilh a depth of 67 feet, ibe clear height from floor to ceiling being 15 feet. The roof is supported by trussed principals in one span. Internally, the building is divided into one large shop, a show-room, a work- rdon. and office. The shop is Bub-divided, tbe west side being devoted to tbe men's clothing department, with counter and all the necessary fittings, while the eastern side forms the principal shop, in which are to be found the Manchester and ladies' goods. Immediately in the rear of tbe shop is a large millinery show-room, fitted with glass cases extending the whole length of the room. The shop front consists of two side windows, and a large centre one, with two entrance doors. The large centre window consists of eight squares of plate glass 6 feet by 5 feet 6 inches, the side windows being, each of them, half the size of that in the centre. There are altogether 3500 feet of shelving, and all the fittings are of varnished red pine and kauri. There is a large skylight over each shop, which during tho day throw a pleasant subdued light over the whole space below through flat windows in.the ceiling, while for, the night there are provided one large sunlight in. the centre, two otherß in the ceiling, 'and one in each window, the total number of burners being sixty. A capacious verandah in front adds greatly to the appearance of the buiiding, which, as we said before, is a great ornament to the town. The shop, of which Mr Scott was the designer and buiider, occupied eight weeks in construction. Messrs Wymond and Co. Have effected a complete transformation of the south-west corner of Trafalgar and Bridge-streets. Their new building, which, when completed, will cover the sites of the shops recently occupied by Messrs Manson and Co. and Mr J. Hounsell, will havea frontage of 60 feet to Trafalgar-street, and 46 feet to Bridge-street. The plate glass wiodows, of which there are over 1000 feet, have a fine effect, especially when lighted up at night, and are well calculated »o set off to advantage the array of diapery goods that, are displayed in them. The internal arrangements have been designed with a view to affording every comfort to customers, aod to facilitating a large retail business, the runniDg measurement of the counters being over 200 feet, while the light during the day is clear without casting any shadows. The building is fitted throughout with Dempster's patent sunlight; reflectors, which comprise in the aggregate over 60 burners". A corner lamp with four burners aud reflectors has been erected outside, and sheds its light over a great distance. Mr Good was tnt> builder. I ~ A ■ What wilh the older established drapery shops and those recently erected, it is doub'ful whether more creditable or better furnished buildings oan be found in any town in New Zealand than are to be seen in Nelson. (.For remainder of News see fourth page.)