THOMPSON, SHANNON, AND CO'S. NEW WAREHOUSE.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXX, Issue 4506, 30 August 1875, Page 7

THOMPSON, SHANNON, AND CO'S. NEW WAREHOUSE.

The new warehouse of Messrs. Thompson, Shannongand Co., recently erected in Panamastreet, occupies one of the most valuable building sites in the city. The building takes up about one half of the block of land, the frontage being in Panama-street ; the remainder of the site fronting Brandon-street is fenced off as a courtyard. The front elevation of the building is a very handsome specimen of the Italian style of architecture, all the details being artistically worked out so as to present a harmonious whole which cannot fail to please all persons possessing a refined and educated taste. The building consists of three storeys. Six segment-headed windows light up the ground floor. The main entrance is placed on the right-hand side of the building, and is fitted with sliding doors running on American rollers. On either side of the main entrance are affixed brass plates, on which is engraved the name of the firm. Above the main entrance are two fanlights, one above the other, and divided by a pretty panelled transom. On a line with these fanlights are the seven circularheaded windows of the second floor. Pilasters are placed between each of these windows, having the upper rusticated and the lower one panelled and moulded with heavy caps and a string course. These pilasters support the massive arches which are turned over the windows. These are panelled and moulded with turned pateras placed at regular intervals. The line of division of the second and third storeys is marked by a handsome dentilated cornice. The eight windows of the upper storey are surmounted with moulded pediments, supported by pilasters and carved trusses. The upper cornice is very rich in design, is moulded and supported by carved cantilever brackets ; the intervening spaces are panelled and moulded. The whole elevation is surmounted by a balustrade, and has altogether a very massive and exceedingly handsome appearance. The visitor having spent some time in viewing the exterior of the building, will now, if he please, commence his inspection of the interior by entering the BASEMENT OB FIRST FLOOR. Entrance to the first floor can be obtained either from the front or the back of the building. This floor is well lighted, as in addition to the six windows already described there are seven looking out on Brandon-street. This warehouse is lined throughout with kauri. Two-thirds of the floor are devoted to the storage of bulky packages, while a portion of it is partitioned off as packing and entering rooms. The packiug-room is fitted with counters and desks arranged on the most approved principles. The folding doors at the entrance are swung on patent spring hinges. In addition to these the firm has made arrangements for the immediate construction of a strong-room. The entering and packingrooms are conveniently placed near the patent hydraulic lift. This lift is constructed on the same principles as those manufactured by Mr. Eobinson, of Melbourne. The hydraulic motive power is placed outside the building at the back. A rope affecting this machinery is carried from the top to the bottom of the square shaft in which the lift travels. A person standing on the lift can, by moans of this rope, arrest its motion at any point in the shaft, thus superseding the old-fashioned plan of placing handles on each floor for stopping the motion of the lift. Another advantage conferred by this lift is that the assistance of a person on each floor is dispensed with. The sticking of the lift is avoided by the use of a bearing on two opposite sides of the shaft, instead of one being placed in each corner, as in ordinary lifts. By these arrangements a minimum of friction and a great saving of labor is obtained' and the result is that the person who is entrusted with the lift can deliver the goods at each floor without assistance. The lift is capable of raising twentyfive hundredweight. This floor is the starting-point of the geometrical staircase, which is carried continuously up to the third. The stairs are constructed of red pine, and the continuous handrail of polished cedar. Continuing his investigations, the visitor will under our guidance find himself again standing in Panama-street opposite the main entrance, which mil conduct him to the SECOND FLOOR. The second floor is approached from the main entrance by a flight of stairs, having on both sides a beautiful panelled arch-moulded dado, with a very heavy moulding on top. This and the walls above it are done in polished rimu. On the lefthand side are three circular-headed windows. The ceiling is painted, with a cornice runnin ground it, picked out in different colors. At the top of the stairs are placed the inner entrance doors, which are made of polished cedar. The side-lights are composed of the same wood polished, with plate-glass panels at the top, the heads forming an ellipse. The doors swing on patent spring hinges and aro fitted with amber-colored glass handles. Above the doors is placed a circular-headed fanlight of polished cedar, with architraves on both sides. On ontering the second floor one is struck with the chaste and ornate style in which the work has been carried out. The whole of the walls and ceiling are lined and painted with a pale tint of blue. The ceiling is supported by longitudinal beams, resting or six large iron columns, having their caps anc bases moulded. Eunning round the ceilings and beams is a moulded cornice picked out ir different colors, which has a very nice effect Ornamental cast-iron ventilators, surroundec

with heavy mouldings, are placed at intervals in the roof. From each ventilator is suspended a chandelier. A very brilliant light i 3 obtained at night by means of seventy-one gas jets, which is obviously a desideratum for the quick despatch of business during the busy seasons. The whole of tho counters and fittings are of quite a new character, and are constructed of polished cedar, grown in Queensland, and fully equal to Spanish mahogany in appearance. Most of the tops of the counters are cut out of one piece of timber, tho ends being panelled and moulded. There are also moulded cornices round the tops of the fittings highly polished. The offices of the firm are on this floor, and are placed at the rear of the building, and immediately opposite the entrance doors. The private office is surrounded with panelled framing, and mouldings on both sides. The front panels are fitted with ornamental ground glass, and the continuation of the sides up to the ceiling are of cedar. This office contains a handsome cedar office table, with chairs in cedar and morocco. Adjoining the private office is the counting-house. This compartment is fitted with a framed and panelled counter, with pilasters and carved trusses, and a desk framed, with balustrading at the top. There is also a large double desk in polished cedar. Next to the counting-house is a waiting-room, formed with panelled and moulded framing, and turned balusters round the top. The whole is made out. of cedar, beautifully French polished. The ceiling _of the private office is painted, with a cornice running round it, picked out in different colors. Both offices have fireplaces with marble mantelpieces. Near the waiting-room are the folding doors of the lift. On one side of this floor is the clothing and woollen department. _ On the opposite side is the Manchester and linen department. THE THIRD STOREY. From the second floor the visitor will ascend to the third storey by the handsome geometrical staircase with the polished continuous cedar rail and turned balusters, as previously described. The third storey is finished in the same elaborate manner as the floor. The fittings and counters are also similar. The various departments are ranged on either side of the floor. Eanged along on one side are the millinery, ribbon, silk and lace department, the stuff, fancy dress and mantel department, and the bandana and shirt department. On the other side of the floor are the hosiery and glove department and the haberdashery department. The visitor has now inspected the building throughout, and as some curiosity may be excited as to the cost, &c, the subjoined information may be acceptable. In the first place, the architect is Mr. C. Tringham, from whose designs and under whose supervision the building was erected. That gentleman also furnished the designs of the interior fittings, which were manufactured by Messrs. Nation and Co., of Melbourne. The plans were sent from Wellington on the Ist of June, and the fittings arrived from Melbourne on the 20th of the following month, which was a wonderfully short time considering the immense amount of work accomplished. The proprietors were obliged to send to Melbourne owing to the impossibility of obtaining a sufficient quantity of seasoned timber in Wellington. The fittings are executed in first-class style, and cost about £IBOO. The building and offices were executed by Mr. Lockie, builder, of this city, and he has gained great credit for the excellent manner in which he has carried out his contract, and cost, including gas fittings and strong room, about £4600. . The hydraulic lift cost £175, and was manufactured by Mr. E. W. Mills, of the Lion Foundry. The furniture of the private office was manufactured in a highly finished style by Mr. William James, of Lambton-quay. The geometrical staircase was skilfully constructed by Mr. Spicer, the sub-contractor, and is an admirable piece of work. The proprietors have had no reason to regret up to the present time having chosen the Empire -City as their place of. business ; and now they nave ono of the finest premises In New Zealand, and every facility for carrying on an extensive trade, it, may bo reasonably hoped that their profits may amply repay them for the great outlay which they have expended.