NEW BUILDINGS.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume IX, Issue 2637, 1 July 1887, Page 2

NEW BUILDINGS.

The branch bank of New : South Wales, has been established in Masterton nearly three years, in premises leased from Mr Jago, have recently had a handsome and commodious building erected in Queen Street, which adds greatly to the appearance of tho business centre of the town and speaksi volumes for the commercial progress of the distiict. The building referred to was noticed at length by us at the time tenders were invited for its erection, when wo gave a detailed account of the then proposed structure with the sizes of the business and domestic portions of it, which have since been faithfully carried out according to the plans and specifications, The exterior presents a handsome front to Queen street, having 0 bold porch over the main entrance, surmounted with an ornamental iron railing. The heavy pilasters, Gnished off with beautifully carved Corinthian capitals, the bold cornice and/finials, together with the excellent work executed around thewindows, show that no pains have been spared to adorn this portion of the building, which is to be finished in imij. fcation sandstone.. Swing doors, wit glass panels open into the banking room which is in itself n study, and demonstrates the wonderful perfection' the carpenters and joiners trade has reached, Tho front of the counter, which extends the full width of the room is finished with bracketted pilasters having three panels between each. The Manager's and Clerk's desks'are fitted to the counter top and continued round the side of the room being duly divided off at a height sufficient to screen them from public gaze. A dado of special design has been put in this room, which deserves more than pass-

mg-notice.,: Itiaciinstvuoted : of three inofcbattenß,'alternate concave and flat, jyitH fancy-nosiig, : froize' and mould-ing.;-The walls are.,covered wjth a suitable paper,.finished with a deep ;.freize' under the'-ceiling, whioh is" -pan.eled and.flatted throughout the whole p£ the'downsitairs portion; of the building. -.. Doors letid from this- room, to a well fitted up lavatory,.to'the private entrance hall, and. to : the manager's room which is richly paired and finished with a fancy papw dado, 'being iightedfrom alargfl window overlooking Queen-street, A large brick safe constructed with Hydraulic, Auckland lime and one of Milnors' patent dfeora double locked, also opens into'the bank- . ing room. Over each door which' are six panelled>are.maßsiveJoo|ing ioor cornices, and; the arohitravesfiiavemeri made;to a--'special;design^"'ThF gas fittings consist of three bracket lights, and a standard and there-is", onapf Sharr'ington's burglar proof, ventilators' fitted over the; safe, -ther room iejng lighted by a large plate /glass window with circular head • centre and square head side lights. The private entrance hall is roomy, and contains the staircase leading to tho upper portion of the premises.' On the ground floor is the diuiug rooui, which is prettily papered and dadoed, and has a neat cornice-along the top under the. ceiling. This room is lighted by a bay and side windows, and appears to be the essence, of comfort, From this room ut covered right of way loads to the kitchen, which has the usual dresser and china press. ' One of Messrs Luke and Sons multitubu>lar high-pressure ranges have'been fixed, being the first of its kindintroduced into this district. This range, which is to supply, tho bath rooui Upstairs with hot water, is constructed on. a .principle that is calculated to effect a saving of fuel and to generate more heat and in less time than those of other makers, and is considered' bylhoso who have tried them'to be superior to the imported article. If Messrs Luke and Sons ranges prove to bßulLthatiS represented of them, we hope to see them ero long supersede these of foreign manufacture,.as they are an industry that the country might well be proud of. Pantry, larder, scullery, wash house, wood and.coal house have all been conveniently provided for, nothing being left out that a.well appointed house requires, The upstairs is reached by a very oasy staircase, at the top of which, is a large open landing, with a combined wardrobe and linen press. The drawing, room .overlooking Queen street'is lighted by .two windows,' from which a view of the Te Whiti hills are The walls have a fashionable paper and dado, thero is a fireplace and a four-light ■'. chaudelier in the room —the whole surroundings speaking of taste and refinement in their selection. The best bedroom also faces Queen Street, and is fitted with a bracket and a two-light chandelier. There are four smaller bedrooms and a bathroom, the latter being fitted .with one of Pickering's baths, hot and cold water.conneotions, and an enamelled slop sink. Gas brackets are fixed at convenient places, and. a, linen closet suitably shelved-is erected, at the .end the passage. By a , trapdoor in the ■ceiling, access is gained to a limited proraenado ontte roof, from which a magnificent view of the surroundings can be obtained, nothing whatever obstructing the-vision/in any direction Electric bells are connected from different parte of the bouse to the kjtebbn. Gas is laid on wherever necessary, the entrance being lighted by.a Standard, fixed to the massive. Maire at the front of the staircase.. The fittings are of the latest improved styles, the outer doors having. Ohubb's patent locks. The mantle-pieces, architraves, doors, <k are of beautifully grained Riran, which has received special preparation before being varnished, the counter top, and desks being Frenoh polished. ...The outside premises have received every attention, the land being filled in and . levelled / throughout, there being as much as four feet of gravel in some part 3 of the filling. A large water.tight cesspit receives the drainago at the bottom of the yard, which is enclosed with a six. feet close boarded fence, Elevated tanks are fixed to receive the rain water, to supply the hath room and other parts of the house, aMouble action' force pump with fly wheel attached, being ready incaßetheraiii supply gives out. Along the front and sides of the building a cpnorete pavement will be laid down, there being a side entrance for the Bank officials. The ntrance to the domestic portion of to house is reached from Chapel strebt, an extra seotionofland having been purchased for the purpose,' The architect, Mr (I Fannin, is to be highly commended for the admirable deßign of the structure. He has studied both the business and the domestic requirements in his plans, the building being, without doubt one of the most complete and best arranged in the district. Messrs Williams and Barker the contractors have reasons to bo proud of their work, for they havo finished it in a style that that the most exacting critic might pass without adverse comment. The plumbing, gas fitting, water supply, and electric bell fitting was entrusted to Mr D. Pickering whose name is sufficient to warrant that good work and material is sure to go together on any job he is conneoked with. Mr' T. Donnelly has undertaken the painting paperhanging, and decorating, and it is ! not saying too much, iu assorting that he has put a finish on his work that has not been excelled by anything of the I kind.inMasterton...,