THE ARCADE.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXII, Issue 5209, 1 December 1877, Page 3

THE ARCADE.

The new Arcade erected hy Mr. F. Sidey in Manners-street is now rapidly approaching completion, indeed the lower portion is already finished, and the upper portion will be completed about the 20th instant. The building itself is a massive structure covering an area of 150 ft. by 75ft,'and itsheight from the ground to the top of the parapet is 45ft., and to the top of the weather vane 52ft. The main front faces Manners-street and has a very striking appearance. It has ten large windows with carved trusses, and also two heavy cornices, the top cornice being supported by massive carved canti-levers, and the lower cornice, which is of smaller dimensions, by eight large fluted pilasters. The main entrance is from Manners-street, and is 12ft. wide by 10ft. in height. There are also side entrances fromFarish-street and St. Hill-street. These entrances can bo closed at night, by patent revolving shutters. There are 1200 gaspipes ail of iron, and all exposed to view, so that any escape of gas can be stopped immediately without any difficulty. The large hall on the ground floor is 120 ft. long by 40ft. wide, and the clear space is only broken by 12 substantial square pillars, which support the promenade gallery running round the hall of the upper floor. There are 250 ft, of fretwork, which will give ample ventilation to the hall when the stalls are closed. These stalls or shops are very lofty and commodious, 1 and will he well ventilated and brilliantly lighted. They have each a separate window looking into the street, and the partitions dividing them can be taken down, so that two or more can be thrown into one. The shops which are intended for the butchers and fishmongers are at the north end of the hall, quite apart from the rest, and are close to the entrances from Farish and St. Hill streets. There is a very comfortable room upstairs, which is being fitted up for the accommodation of ladies. Attached to

the premises is a "yard, with an area of half an acre, which will he a great convenience to country people bringing produce into town, as they can leave their carts there. Water will he laid on throughout the yard and building, and there will be every convenience in the way of lavatories &c. The Arcade is calculated to supply a want felt in Wellington, and when the letting of the shops' takes place, which will be on AVeduesday, it is expected that there will he keen competition for them.