QUEEN-STREET IMPROVEMENTS.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume XVI, Issue 5106, 17 August 1895, Page 3

QUEEN-STREET IMPROVEMENTS.

Another substantial improvement to the town of Masterton, Ims iusfc been completed, It takes the form of a neat block of four brick shops, erected in Queen-street for Mr T. G. Mason, of this town. The plans were drawn and the work carried out under the supervision of Mr L. J. Fordo, C.E., of the firm of Ponty and Forde, architects and engineers of Wellington and Masterton, The buildings are one story in ! brick mid concrete, with pressed I brick piers containing initiation stone-work and black-pointed joints,, the parapet being a handsome design in plaster, colored to imitate stonework, forming a pleasing contrast to the red brick piers Tlio details are in the Italian renaissance stylo, and are altogether a line piece of work. Jiaeh shop is 24 x 10, and provision js made in the brick dividing walls, by the construction of arches, so that two—or, in fact, all-might be converted into one establishment, should the progress of the town, or any large business, warrant such a step. The shops are lofty and welllighted, each front being one large sheet of plate glass, 9ft Gin x Sft (the largest in Masterton), the splays also iu plate glass, 9ft Bin x ■lft. The walls all through are built in Portland cement mortar with concrete foundations, and all exposed walls are plastered in l'ort- | land cement.

The brick walls, internally, are strapped with battens and lined with liin x fin tongue and groove boards, painted in suitable colors. The roof is a departure from the ordinary style in Masterton, being constructed with a good fall froiii front to back, and all inside gutters being dispensed with. This is a decided improvement and not only ecouo'iiical but an absolute guarantee against storm water leaking into the buildings. At the back of each shop, a lino room is built, well-lighted and fitted with a comfortable tireplace. Gas is laid on, and all the most modern lillings, including sliding partitions between the shop and the window fronts, are put iu, and glazed with frosted glass. This precludes the possibility of dust, etc., getting into the show windows,

A tine lofty verandah of curved " bull-nose " corrugated iron, painted inside and out, runs from end to end of the block, and forms a good long [sheltered walk. Altogether the block is a big improvement to the northern, end of Queen-street, and inflects credit on the architects and workmen engaged in the construction, and the business enterprise of Mr T. G, Mason.

The contract for the brickwork and concrete foundations was let to Messrs liarron and Dement, of Wellington ; the plastering to Mr J. W. Smith, of Wellington, and carpcntery, fitting, etc., to Mr T, Mitchell, of Masterton, The plumbing has been carried oat by Mr D. Pickering, and the painting by Mr J. La lioclie. Each department of the work has been done in a thoroughly satisfactory manner. In a few weeks we may expect to see the premises occupied, and four more shops in full swing will certainly give an altered appearance to one of the, hitherto, blankest spots in Queen-street,