NEW BUSINESS PREMISES.

Bay of Plenty Times, Volume XLVI, Issue 6964, 18 January 1918, Page 3

NEW BUSINESS PREMISES.

•st? ■ —■ — /; Mrs E J Tennent's Block.

~ A large modern edifice of brick and 'concrete now stands oa the site on the ,Strand owned by Mrs E J i.*ennent, in place of ihe wooden buildings which, with, other premises, were destroyed in the fire of November I' 2, 1916." The building is constructed in the main of fire-resisting materials, with the o\ jeet of eliminating as far as possible the | repetition of such an occurrence as led to tho logs of property on the date i mentioned. The roof slab is of concrete, overlaid with three layers of bituminous compound. It is virtually iht, and will thus enable it lo be utilised as a floor when the second storey id addeil, as anticipated, in ilie future. A problem was encountered in the foundation, in that the ground was water-logged and piling had to be resorted to iv order to provide carriage for the subsequent storeys. The verandah, extending for the full width of the footpath, is a suspended oue having a ll.it soffit. Its roof leans the reverse way to the generally accepted vorandah roof and this venders possible direct lighting above tho shov windows into the shop apartments behind. The new building is divided into thre-3 shops. The largest is to be occupied by Mr D X Woolhms for his stati >nery and fancy goods business. "Hie maximum show frontage has been obtained to this shop by the sdoption at the centre of the entrance of what is knowu as an island window, which affords excellent facilities for the effective display of goods. The shop is a very commodious one. Two .counters rango down one side, a small office being screened off at the extremity. Special cases a;e«to. be installed for interior show, and ample provision is made in all respects for meeting the requirements of customers. A storage and packing room adjoins the shop The nexD shop is *-o bo tenanted by Mr Bon Tanner as a hairdresaing aaloon and tobacconist's whop. The latter h a large apartment and will permit of the full display nf the stock. J he hairdresiiog saloon will befitted with all the appurtenances to be found in an up-tc-date o&tdblishmeut of the kind and will enable the proprietor to thoroughly oator for tho requirements of clients. Daring the current month Mr J Murdoch i 3 going to transfer his watchmaking and jewellery bus'ness to the remaining shop. The counter runs at p. right anglo and the windows will be fitted with mirrors, thus showing all the goods to the fullest advantage. The internal accommodation is such as to permit of the use of numerous cmnter and wall casea. The workshop and packing room adjoin the shop and will be fitted in such a manner as to permit of tho expeditious carrying out of all repairs. The entrances to all the shops are tiled, and the stallboardiug is of Ooromandel granite. The glazing1 frames are of varnished oak, with plat^-glass in the lower area and leadligbi work atove, In the parapet cement dressed concrete piers, intervened with red brick fillings, give a pleasing appearance. The building forms a valuable addition to the business premises of the town, and reflects mucn credit on the architect, Mr 0 J Kirk, and the builder, Mr Thos. Kirk, The painting and decorative work was artistically carried out by Mr J W P Snelgrove, the plastering by Messrs Bourne and Co., the sign writing by Mr E Forrest, j and the plumbing by the Taurauga Hardware and Piutibing Company. The installation of the shop fittings is being carried out in Mr S Pemberton's , usual workmanlike manner. ;