TOWN IMPROVEMENTS.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XXIII, Issue 255, 29 October 1901, Page 2

TOWN IMPROVEMENTS.

MESSRS, BARCJOOD. bON AND KWKN'B WAREHOUSE.

The handsome and spacious block of buildings at the south end of Carriestreet, fading the News Office, constitutes without exception, the finest and largest business premises in New Plymouth. Now that the upper storey, which has recently been added, is finished, the noble proportions of the strusture and the artistic treatment ih?s receive 1 are a theme of admiration by all who pass that way. A building j like this not only acts as an evidence of the growth and prosperity of the district, but stamps the town as one of the large centres of commerce in the' colony. It is also characteristic and in every way worthy of the enterpris- i ing firm for whom it was erected; It may not be amis'* and will probably be of interest to our readers, to give a slight sketch of the firm of Messrs Sirgood, Son and Ewen, whose good name is so familiar to all traders throughout New Zealand and the Commonwealth, and whose fame and standing is second to none in the commercial world. It is now fifty-tbrea years since the late Mr F. J. Sargood laid tho foundation of the colossal business at Melbourne, which has spread throughout Australia, and today employs about 6000 hands. Curiously enough, it was just before the discovery of gold in Victoria that the .energetic founder of this business opened up in Melbourne, and it wis through the impetus given to trade in New Zealand on the discovery of gold here that induced the firm to establish themselves in this colony where their progress has been of a phenomenal character. It required in those early days men of exceptional ability, indomitable energysyetcool-headed and far-seeing policy |to cope with the frequent fluctuations in the commercial barometer, and there is no doubt that the founder of the firm possessed in a remarkable degree the characteristic* which were exactly suited to the times.' Subsequent events have proved this! beyond a doubt, for although he possessed but moderate capital it was used to such advantage that to-day the total floor space of the'firm's establishments covers an area equal to nine acres in extent—the Melbourne house alone covering a floor space of nearly three acres, Some idea may therefore be formed of the wonderful strides this business has taken, and, like the green bay tree, it is still full of life and vigour, throwing out fresh branches while enlarging the old ones year by year. During its progress through the past half century the firm has absorbed by purchase several other houses, amongst which was that of Owen and Graham, who carried on business in the small building in Currie-fitreet, New Plymouth, at tho rear of the Imperial Hotel. It was the acquisition of this business that gave Messrs Sargood an opening here, and it was that snull beginning in this district that led up to the construction of tho grand building which is not only an ornament to the town, but is a great credit to the architect, Mr Jas. Sanderson, and a fittiug evidence of the solidity and magnitude of the business carried on within its walls under the diieetion of the courteous, popular and able manager, Mr George Rimson, tj whoss fatner, the late Mr Eamson, belongs the credit of working up the business here from its small beginning to its present extensive operations. This leads us to call attention to one special factor which has influenced materially the success and expansion of this business. The founder possessed in a remarkable degree that faculty for so attaching those in his employ to himse'f, that their loyal, willing servicas were rendered with ever increasing zeal as if by a magnetic influences ; yet the secret was simple, for it was due to the fact that to him thu welfare of those associated with him was of the highest interest, and he wa? quite as much a friend as an employer to his subordinates. That same spirit has been, and is in force. It acts and re-acts with most beneficial results, extendingj through the ranks of the employees to the firm's ever increasing clientele, producing that mutual good relationship which is a sure sign of tho enduring nature of a business, and the good principles on which it is conducted.

It was in August, 1888, that at the instigation of the late Mr Kainsoo, Messrs Sargood opened tbe Now Plymouth branch—the room lease! for business then being merely a sample room. In thirteen yesrs the business, mainly owing to the able management of the late Mr Bamson, has grown at least tsn fold, and is increasing bteadily under the energetic and popular policy pursued by his sod, Mr George Bamson, hence the necessity for making the premises suitable more for an establishment than a branch. In fact, to all int9nts and purposes, the local buyers have the same advantages both as to selection of goods and prae-i as if dealing with the firm's Auckland establishment, a replica of all stock in the latter being kept in New Plymouth, whither gcods aro forwarded by almost every boat. Few people outside those in the soft goods trade have any conception of the almost endless variety of articles which are to be found r»a<ly for distribution at one of those large wholesale warehouses. Besides what aro termed ''soft" goods, such v.s drapery, millinery etc., there ate silver goous, saddlery, boots and shoo-, and fancy goods of all discripsions —practi-1 cally everything, except eatabh s, that is to bo found in a town or country store. Sargood's and their manage! s not only keep pace with tho times, t.ui with the growth of the district wi.hu, the scope of their op'.-rations. When the present "building was projected in 1895, Messrs Sargood wis.-iy entrusted the matter to Mr J;>s. Amiderson, and the result ht-4 amply justified their actiou. Only thu grouud I floor was then erected, out it was designed with a view at some futmtt period to carry an upper storey. We have no doubt that it was never anticipated that so short a time would eiapso before the addition would be a casu of necessity, but to it wan, and now bo l> floois are filled with goods, Tho Novation of the budding is very baud-' some and imposing, having i ot onl) [that appearance of tolidity and dumI bility so eminently characteristic of the I firm itself, but possessing an ornate and j artistic ensamble that conicides fittingly I with its contents. The j Italian, and its treatment by the architect is all that could he dvsiied, while the eil'oct is enhanced by the frontage- bjing s*nd«d to imitate siooi. There is a ten Dial spacious doorway, I surmounted by a haudsome pediment, i On either side ou tho ground floor aro two large windows, and on th.upper floor thete are eleven windows. These windows are all segment headed with fanlights over, the latter) being fitted with Preston's fastsners, |

and ailordiug excellent ventilation, | while the keystjne of each gives a pleasing fiuish to the design of the | structure. The corbels are supported j on carved t; usees. Over all is a cornice i with balustrades and pediment, also) finished with carved trussos, and sur-. mounted with a finial to accord with ■ the style of architecture employed. In the Courtenay-streat frontage, the building i<J similarly treated, and a cons ; derablH u'd'tion of light is obtained from two large "inflows on the ground flier, a<d four 'n upper ■-torey. On entering the warehouse j oae is at once struck with the fine pro- j portions of the interior. With the exception of the manager's room (which is exctllently adapted for the purpose), and accommodation for the clerical staff, the whrvlq of the ground fbor is thrown in'o one spacious and lofty showroom, occupying an area of 68 feat by 41, with a height of 16 feet, Here! are to be found a large and varied sup- \ ply of Manchester atid fancy goods,! mets' clothing, boqts etc., rows on rows of show shelves, and receptacles for the display and storage of, the vast stock kept on the premises, j The upp9r floor is reached by means of a wide and handsome stairway, all in r'mu and kauri, with polished hand rail and carved nawels. j This storey contains thu same uroa as the one behw undis 13 feet high, raingj excellently lighted, etch window, as is the case throughout tTie building, being | fitted withadurlr green blind - a neces-1 sary protection for the delicate goods. ] Here are seen all sirts of those charm-! ing articl s of feminine adornment that one can look at and admire with a! philosophic air when not accompanied j with a gushing and money-speuding better half. Feather* that would drive soma women fr <ntic with envy, if seen on a neighbour's hat, lay si de by side with wtis'ic flowers, ribbons silks, and the like vanities and vexations of spirit, while mantles and other larger articles are near at hand, in the latest styles and most fashionable materials. At the b ick of this large room is a spacious and well-lighted sample room running the whole length of the building, and the ability which bas been displayed in the arrangement of the samples testifies strongly to the busi- j ness capabilities of the staff. This! back room on the ground floor is do-1 voted to the purposes of a packing rcom and hsre is to be found an hydraulic lift which will not only be i found of enormous use in raising goods lo the uppar floor, but also in loading expresses. A feature of the internal j part of the building is the scheme of decoration which hss been effected by a most judicious and artistic blend of delicate colours well calculated to set off to the best advantage the various! goods in stock. j

The structural work of the recent addition was carried out by Mr, Steele, who completed a very difficult; contract in a manner which bas proved thoroughly satisfactory to the Architect and to h's clients, More than ordinary care and precautions had to be taken ] during building operations owing to the necessity of keeping all moisture and as much dust as possible from reaching the good-i, and that this was done reflects much credit on tjhe contractor. The painting was executed by West aud Son in a most satisfactory manner, as was also the plumbing by Griffiths Bros. Messrs Sargoods uow possasses a building which has not only the largest, but the finest, business frontage in New Plymouth. It is an orna • I ment to the town, a credit to Mr SanI derson, the architect, and it marks an I area in tho growth and properity of the district, whose needs this enterprising aud far-reaching firm have assisted so materially in meeting. According to present rat? of progress the local branch of Messis Sargood's business should no!; bs Jong ere it blcsioms into •■» full-blown establishment such as are to be found in the other but older lvading centres of the colony. In conclusion, we have to express our hearty acknowledgements for the courtesy and information received at the hands of Mr George Ramson, who is so worthily carrying on the work here by his late father, whose mantle of popularity and bus'nfss ability stems to have fallen upon the son who was called upon to continue the manage|tnen l ' l andtbii he his done with marked ■ success aud ability.