NEW PLYMOUTH IMPROVEMENTS.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume L, Issue 60, 18 June 1907, Page 2

NEW PLYMOUTH IMPROVEMENTS.

MESSRS MA'CKAY, I.OGAN, CALUV\ ; ELL Ai\D CO.'S WAKEIIOUSE. The suitability of New Plymouth as a distributing centre for tho district i from Mokau to Patea is abundantly proved by the increase of warehouse accommodation provided in the town of late years. It is not very long ago since the dry goods business outgrew Messrs. Burgess, Frascr and Co.'s o'.d premises, and the line new block of brick at the onier of Gill and Currie streets was the outcome. In tlie same lino of business Messrs. L. D. Nathan and Co. found their Devon street premises altogether too small for tlie rapidly advancing business, and they sought new quarters, eventually settling on the Egmont Mills, which they purchased and soon converted into a splendid and up-to-date, commodious warehouse. As the firm had only had a New Plymouth branch for a few ■ hort years, the change of venue showed agvowth of business which must have followed somewhat similar advancement uf tlie district. The other warehouses, Messrs J. Cock and Son. Arch. Clark and e ' ai, Sargood, Son and Ewen, and Newt.m King, have all experienced an ini rcase of trade that completely disproves Ilia assertion that tlie province makes but little headway, and there are rumors of new brick buitlinga for one of those Onus. And now appears on the scene another wholesale firm, Messrs Macky, Logan, Caldwell and Co., who, having decided to establish a branch ill New Plyi.iiiHfh, purchased that splendid site on tli" corner of l'owerhnin and Brougham ■ treets. just across the Powderham street bridge, and entrusted Mr. Frank Messenger, a local architect with tlie preparation of plans of a modern warehouse, the. instructions' being to avoid ail unnecessary ornamentation and to provide all the space and lighting possible. The contract for the building was let to Messrs Coleman and Son, and the result is that commanding block now bearing the name of "Macky, Logan and Caldwell and C 0.," in relief letters on a good, solid-looking business front in lirougham street. A News reporter, in company with the architect, paid a visit to the building yesterday afternoon. The main entrance is from Brougham street, a short flight of concrete steps leading to the doorway and a pair of swinging glass panel doora which open into one of the lofty showrooms, with

a lloor measurement of G2 feet C inches x 40 feet. 'Hie lighting of the room is proved by numerous sash-windows, and heightened by the white painting of walls and ceiling. Every available inch i.-> taken up with the show tables and shelving, the tables with solid kauri tops. Electric light fittings are in evidence, and in the north-eastern corner, near the Powdeiham street cntrauce, provision is made for the installation of a hydraulic liiu. Kear this is the door leading into a packing-room 20 ft x. 12 It, fitted with benches, and having a strong sliding door which opens into the eartdnck on Powderliaui street. Close by are the lavatories, all ntted up to modern standards. Hemming to the Brougham street front, v.e found the manager's room, in nice ro. my apartment, ami the • •'■ii/. s ! .'llic;- with dc-k; ~nd fitting. \(cr'lni.T ),y V ; a\ <t" a i-i.jfid .lairva-.\ . ,v.'K-)«'d (If i'oor u h'.se convenient'!' could hardly o. excelled jrom fae v.'aivhoiHC o! view. The diiticiwioiis s. iv HI fi; (> in \ •f" and it is veil lighted s:nd veil- : fitted. The passages between the tables 1 hrve. as on tlie ground llooi's are just wide enough to admit of the passage of the trolleys on which the goods are take,i to and fro. The extra space upstairs is accounted for by the fact that .•m ilie givnn! (!uoi\ opening from IVrou/aam street, an* tv c .mites of offices, i'er letting purpose*, j-iaeh snile is of two rooms, 20 ft x 14 ft, about 20 ft in slnd. the walls white except for a varnished dado of selected rimu. A brick wall is erected between the warehouse and Mr. Hughes' property, and the whole building has beea erected on concrete foiin■■•llions. Th"re is large cellar ae'•oiniu'idatain for empty cases, etc., and this niay be taken in account if extension is needed.

The erection of this warehouse certainly adds to the appearance of the. locality, as it entailed the demolition of some buildings that were aim >:-•< an eye--ore in the heart of the town. The road access from the railway iMods shed is by way of Currie and rov-1.-rham streets, practically level, thus l'- haulage. The contractors have executed •heir work in a faithful manner, and ;he >um» may he said of the sub-con-tractors, Messrs Smart Bros (plumbing and electric lighting), Russell and Son ibrick and concrete work). The cost of tho building complete will approximate 12300.