N.Z. Express Co.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XXXXV, Issue 252, 23 November 1903, Page 3

N.Z. Express Co.

NEW PREMISES. »- On Friday afternoon, at the invitation of the directors of the Company, a representative gathering of the mercantile community took placein the substantial bnjck building recently erected in Brougham-street to the order-of the N.Z. Express Co., Ltd. Among those present were : The Mayor (Mr R. Cock), Corkill, Burgess, Fraser, Gorton, Ewing (Smart Bros.), Guy (Stationmaster), Bedford, Dockrill, Morgan (Manager U.S.S. Co.), Wastley (Manager of National Bank), Sheir (H. Brown and Co.), Trifle, and Snowball (Sash and Door Co.), Councillors Carter, Wood and Tisch.

The visitors were shown over the 'building by the local manager of the Company, Mr R. J. Jay, and expressed themselves in terms of highest praise. The building is the first erected in New Plymouth entirely of brick. The front, facing BroughamBtreet, is handson>e and imposing in appearance, bping of pressed brick, tuck pointd, relieved by heavy ornamental cornices, etc., in cement plaster. On the ground floor are the Company's offices and a shop. Adjoining the offices is the cart dock, and a raised platform for receiving and dischanging goods. Behind the offices on the ground floor are the free store and bonded warehouse. A feature of the arrangements for the expeditious handling of heavy goods to and from the first floor is the hydraulic lift, constructed by Messrs HcCockrill and Co., of Auckland. The second floor is subdivided into lour sample rooms for commercial travellers, with additional free storage accommodation of about 500 tons. In the building are four substantial strong rooms, fitted with Chubbs' doors. Lavatories and every modern sanitary convenience are also provided. Every precaution has evidently been taken to provide for the growing requirements of the Company's business ; ample office accommodation, free and bonded storage being provided, besides every facility for the expeditious handling of travellers' samples, and inward and outward consignments. The contractor, Mr R. W. Bond, is to be congratulated on having, erected the most substantial and handsome building in the town. Subcontractors were : Mr F. C. Griffiths, plumbing ; H. Brown and Co., joinerj' : the bricks being supplied by Mr H. P. Graves, Pa,t.t»., It will interest our readers to learn that there were 120,000 bricks used in the construction of the building. The erection of such a handsome structure is a marked indication of the progress of our town, and of the faith that the company have in the future of the district. After an inspection of the premises, light refreshments were partaken of. T The Mayor (Mr Cock) in proposing? the toast of the N.Z. Express Co., sorfid that it showed great enterprise on the part of the Company in putting up such a large building, and he wished the Company every success. Mr Jay, manager of the local branch, apologised for the absence of his directors, and read a wire which he had received from the Secretary of the Comp.uaiy (Mr C. S. Awen, Dunedin) as follows ; "Sorry Impossible for directors be present ; our expenditure in New Plymouth shows our faith in the, place and district, and we wish all prosperity." Mr Jay went on to say that the Company have branches in all the principal towns in the colony. He thanked those present for attendance. Mr W. F. Brooking proposed the health of the contractors.—Responded to by Mr Bond. Mr Corkill proposed "The progress of Taranaki." He mentioned that he was not an old identity, but he had been there for about 20 years. During that time he had seen great progress in Taranaki, especially during the last few yeans. He hoped that this was only a foretaste of what was coming, and that before long Taranaki would be one of the principal districts of the colony. He congratulated the Company on the fine building which they had erected, and hoped tihat they would meet with a fair share of the public support. Mr Fraser (Burgess, Fraser and Co.) also Bpoke in the same terms.