NEW BUILDINGS AT CAMBRIDGE.

Waikato Times, Volume XIII, Issue 1035, 11 February 1879, Page 2

NEW BUILDINGS AT CAMBRIDGE.

Among the most noticeable improvements going on m the town of (Jatnbridge is the large and handsome building m Dukestreet erected by Mr Thomas Wells, late o£ the Thames. We visited the premises lately, and were courteously Known over them .by the proprietor. Everywhere thero was substantial evidence of his belief m the great future of this part of tho country. The front shop is a handsome room 45ft. x 30ft., 12fb. m the clear, lined with kauri. The ceilings ace pannelled with wide kahikatea pannels and moulded rimu margins. The shelving is supported by turned rimu columos, surmounted by a handsome rimu oornioe. Ihe counters run dowu both sides of the shop and aoross the baok end. I hey are 88 ft long ; the tops are broad kauri planks, each 18ft. long 1 , 39in. wide, by 3iu. thick. The front is pannelled with mottled kauri and rimu, specially selected for the purpose. The pannels are divided by rimu pilasters, m front of each of which is a massive turned rimu pillar. The upper floor is supported by a large beasimer beam, 45ft. long, 13ft. x 6ft., and by two large turned pillara. The chimney foundations are carriod up through the shelves on either side of the shop, and are quite out of sisrht. All tho woodwork is varnished. Id the centre of the shop stands a large squaro glass showcase, the fqur panes of which are 56 x 33m. Light is let into the shop through 227 square feet of glass m the front, and by two long sashes over the shelving at the back. At the front entrance are halfglass bank doors, on Smith's patent hinges. The bright and beautiful native woods and tho turned rimu columns give to the large and well-lighted shop an appearance seldom equalled m any establishment m much older to,wn.a. At the back of th.c shop is the reserve-stock store and office. Both are well fitted-up with every convenience. The fireproof safe m the office is built with brickwork by the side of the fireplace. Further b,a.01? Is a row of buildings, 75ft. x lift., with 14ft. studs. In this is all the machinery for carrying on a large out-door delivery business, such as stable, hay loft, cart sheds, corn store, &c, &o. Nor must wo forget the dwelling-house, which is itself one of the largest and best-finished m the district, and quite separate m its approach from the store. There are seven rooms upitaiiv. The two front ones are I Oft. x lilt. Tho b,ath«ruoin, is fitted with plunge and alwAYor bath, supplied fruai a eiatum

overhead capable of holding 650 gallon of water; this is filled from tho roof. Between the shop ceiling and first floor is an intermediate or deadening floor, covered with 3in. of mortar to deaden tho noise from the shop. Downstairs, at tho back of the reserve-stock store, are threo more rooms — the dining-room, kitchen, scullery, &c. Under the latter is a brick and cement tank, capable of holding 1,800 gallons of water, fitted with pump, &c. The whole of the dwelling-house ia finished m a similar style to the shop, and reflects great credit on the contractor, Mr Thos. Colebrook. It is Mr Wells' intention to carry on a large wholesale and retail general business, and amply has ho provided for it. The stock is one of tho largest, if not the largest oi its kind, m the provincial district of Auckland, and has apparently been selected with great care by one who has a thorough knowledge of the business, being, to use his own words, " replete with every requisite of a country settler." His Btock of agricultural implements consists of ploughs, harrows, chaffcutters, &c. In ironmongery, carpenters' and joiners' tools of all descriptions are to be found, and the shoemakers' stock must also be mentioned. In boot-uppers alone, Mr Wells has an assortment of 58 kinds and 6izes. In painters' and paper-hangers' requisites, everything is to be had that coulflPwj* obtained from an oil and color warehouse. In drapery and clothing, he has a very large stock, and m grocery everything that could be possibly required may be obtained. He has, also, a very choice collection of electroplated goods, oxhibited m the large square glass case before mentioned. ,The stock and buildings are alike a credit to Mr Wells and the town m which h<j has come to reside, and he has undertaken an enterprising and plucky venture, m which we wish him every suoceßS.