An Improved Block.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XLVI, Issue 81, 9 April 1904, Page 2

An Improved Block.

MESSRS AAIBUIV iIHOS.' I'KEMiSES. Amongst the most noticeable improvements in New I'lymouth recently are the alterations to Messrs Auibury Brothers premises. For many years their buildings on the corner of Devon and Brougham streets have been anything but what they should have been in u town of New Plymouth's size and progrcssivencss. There has been no want of "pushfuluess" on tin- part oi the firm, imt 11 is understood there has been a dillicully owing to the fact that the owner was an absentee. But at last the necessary consents were obtained, and in December lust Mr Muisey, architect, let the first contract for plate glass. From that date till now the improvements have been afoot, and tiic msult is a complete transforntotion scene. The window display now is considerably ahead of most establishments in Turanaki. The windows arc glutted with plate gllass, lift Gin by tilt, iiud there is amide space for effective drunsing, the glass totalling uiV'Ut IUUO superhcial feet. All the lighting of the windows.is supplied from outside, thu present lamps to bo supplanted by patent incnndescwiti lights of UoO c.p., ordered from Engiland. 'This system of oulsido lighting saves the goods from sweaUng, nod Is also a safeguard against lire, our readers being doubtless aware Unit most of the fires in drapery establishments originate in the window draperies, t'he whole ol the llrougham-strwt lronli\gc is of plate gilass, and in Hevon-streut the entrances aloim break the line. Entrance is gained to the enlarged showroom by ing glass doersj Th« ilanch#etßt and gviicj'ul 'drapery depurlmeiit, winch now takes in the smalt showroom which formwrly kiced ffrough-am-street, and Hl9 pussnge-wuy which then existed, is libit by -Hut, and is well lighted ,1111(1 ventilated. Leading from this in a ijroud staircase, which gives uccess to Uw uppei showroom, liOft by -lufl. From here an archway leads into an improved port-ion of the building. A suite of ollices has been demolished, uiiul in their place wij find a roomy landing, which will be used for display purposes, and opening on this space the mantle department, 1 ait by 17ft, facing Devon-street ; the ladies' waiting and litling-room, fronting Devon and Rroug'liuiu streets ; the ucsgrvs stock and mark-iug-01l room, and milliner's room on Drouyhnm-Hlreet. Here also is the ollice, which is to be fitted up comfortably. The ladies' room is an idea of Mr W. Ambury's, aind doubtless Ins foresight will be much appreciated, especially by customers from the suburban and ninal districts. Everywhere the best materi-

tuid tho firm can now boast of tho'rougjdy uiHo-date premises, whose outside appeaianve and internal arrangements alike are a credit to Messrs Ambury Bros., and a distinct advance to the town. The clothing department downstairs, ,'luft by lilfi, remains as before, with the stockroom at the rear, but alterations are now in contemplation. The aperture on the corner will be filled by a clock, which should be a public convenience. Lighting, ventilating, mid sanitary arrangements have been thoughtfully devised. The contractors were :—Glazing, Messrs Okey, Son and Arnold ; building and joinery, Messrs Boon Bros.; painting, Messrs Bellsing'er Bros. ; plumbs ing, Messrs Smart Bros. Mr J. A. Maiscy was the architect who designed and supervised the work, and he is well pleased with tho maimer nt which tho contracts have been l'ullilleil. Messrs Ambury Bros, must have great faith in the future of the town to warrant this heavy expenditure.