Town Improvements.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XXXXV, Issue 250, 19 November 1903, Page 3

Town Improvements.

NEW BLOCK OP BUILDINGS. r Am ugly gap which for many years spoiled the eastern 'end of Devon' Street has now been filled, a handsome block of buildings replacing the old structures that once occupied this central portion of the main street. The new buildings now nearing completion are for Messrs Bewley and Griffiths, Grayson, Dingle and Courtney, who entrusted the architecture to Mr Jas. Sanderson, and under that gentleman's supervision the work of building these new premises has been 'carried on. The buildings have a two-storey elevation to Devon Street, the architecture of the front being Italian in Btyle, with brick pilasters—altogether a good though not over-ornamen-tal facing. On Wednesday afternoon a Daily News representative yisited the new buildings, which will be out of the contractors' hands very shortly now. The first place visited was the new suite of offices and auction room for Messrs Bewley and Griffiths. The entrance is by wide folding doors, leading into a pas-, sage eight feet wide. On the left is Mr Bewley's office, a well lighted room 13ft x lift, nicely papered, and with fireplace. Speaking tubes will connect this with the other parts ol the building. Adjoining this Is the public enquiry office, fitted with desks and counter and slide for transacting business with clients to the auction-room. The whole of tb» auctioneering and general merchandise department can be seen from this office, two sides being of glass. The auction-room is a fine airy department 55ft 6in x 31ft, with a 12a stud, and taking full height of the building. The light is admitted by large skylights of wirecovered glass. At the end is a counter, and shelving is to be erected, and other conveniences almost immediately. Passing through the back door we came to the poultry sale department, with asphalt floor and provision for a large number of pens to be erected, with double floors in order to ensure cleanliness. Returning to the front portion of the building we ascended the staircase, which is lighted from the roof, and found ourselves on a landing witfo doors opening in all directions. On the right, just at the top of the stairs, is Mr Griffiths' office, a pleasant apartment, papered and fitted with a grate. Next to this on the same side is the clerks' room and typists' room, the dimensions of these being 13ft x lift, lift 6in x lift, and 17ft x 9ft. On- the «ther side of the passage is a second suite of offices, one of which will be used as a board room. The measurements are 17ft x 15ft 6in, and 14ft x 10ft. On this floor are lavatories, etc., lighted from the roof. On the ground floor a shop 33ft x ! 12ft, with a large, plate-glass win- . dow, has been partitioned off, and J this has been let to Mrs Mitchinson. All rooms not papered are match- ' lined with dressed rimu and kauri, and varnished. The walls are of ' brick, and the building extends I about 91ft back from the street. Messrs Boon Bros., of New Ply- * mouth, are the contractors, at a i price of £1233. Their own staff un- ' dertakes the painting and brick- ' work, the latter being under Mr J Robert Evans. '

The next shop is erected Tor Mr Prayson, and is of ample dimensions, the depth 'being 60ft, ond width 22ft. Fine large windows front the street, and provision is made for displaying a very large ■tock. The shop is match-lined throughout. There are four rooms upstairs, match-lined and papered. The contract price was £613.

Mr Dingle's shop has a depth of 60ft and a width of 37ft, with ,'iving rooms on the upper storey. Every sanitary provision has beeu made. The contract price is £435. Sir Courtney's pve(tU.-s show a depth of 48ft and a width of VMt. •The second storey will not be completed just yet. The contract price is £4Bl.

All the different shops are divided by brick party walls, with concrete foundations and steps. The windows are all of the best plate-glass. Messrs Grayson's, Dingle's, and Courtney's premises we shall give fuller particulars of as they are completed.

Mr Tong is contractor for Messrs Dingle and Grayson's buildings, and his subcontractors are Messrs Smart Bros (plumbing), Bellringer {painting and decorating), and Madder (brickwork). Messrs Boon Bros, nave, besides Messrs Bewley and Griffiths' premises, the building of Mr Courtney's shop. Mr Sanderson, the architect, is satisfied with the splendid work done by the contractors. The erection of these buildings js another evidence of the continued prosperrty of New Plymouth, and the unbounded faith of our leading business people in its future progress. v