CITY IMPROVEMENTS. ADDITIONS TO MESSRS. KIRKCALDIE AND STAINS'S PREMISES.

Evening Post, Volume LXIV, Issue 66, 15 September 1902, Page 5

CITY IMPROVEMENTS. ADDITIONS TO MESSRS. KIRKCALDIE AND STAINS'S PREMISES.

An expanding business calls for extended premises, and the development of the transactions of Messrs. Kirkcaldie and Stains has increased with the rapid progress of Wellington. No.t only tho progress of tho city, but tho extension of settlement in our country districts is felt by this old-established firm. ■ Tho country-orders department of Messrs. Kirkcaldie and Stains's business ha* become- ono of tho most important features of the firm's transactions. The- firm has b^een doing business for over thirty-five years on Lambtou-nuay, and every decade in its history has been marked by an extension of premises. In fact, in recont times there has been need for moro room almost immediately after tho completion of successive needed improvements. Quite recently a new building was erected on the northern side of tho Lambton-quay frontage. Then the firm, prevented irom pushing its extensions north, acquired tho adjoining premises in Brandon-street so long used as a firo-brignde station. Upon this site a four-story brick building is being erected, and possession has just been taken of a portion of the new premises. j This new building, which was built I by Mr. Jas. Russell from the plans of Mr. W. Turnbttll,' has a height of somo 60ft, a depth of 90ft, and a width of 80ft. The ground iloor in occupation is : fronted with largo show windows for the display of carpets .and linoleums, and covered on tho outside by a glass verandah, and is devoted' wholly to a stock of linolouins. There aro rollp upon rolls of tho popular floor-covering in view, and on the ample floor space of this department a clearway is left for an effective exhibition of the many makes and patterns kept in stock. The ground iloor is brilliantly lighted by means of two handsome ton-light clusters of inoandescont gaslights, each of Sl^eandlepower. By an ingenious device, all fumes from these clusters aro collected in the ceiling aud carried into the open air by ventilation shafts. Tho lights are operated from a switch-bo^rd with all the facility of .electric-lighting. The incandescent gaslight is used throughout the new building. The first iloor is given over wholly to a carpet showroom, with the ample floor-sjmce of 35ft x 75ft. Something liko 300 rolls of carpets aro neatly and conveniently stowed away in shelves ranged the whole length of each side of the showroom, having tho floor clear for display of floor and house furnishings. From this floor swing-doors give* entrance to the room on the north-western Bide, formerly used as tho linoleum showroom, and 1 this forms tho connection with tho main building. The second floor will be divided into workrooms, and, like tho other departments, is equipped with up-to-date sanitary arrangements. A separate staircase give? admittance to tho workroms, and on this floor coke-stoves will be used for tho necessary heating of irons, etc. Tho topmost floor is to bo used for reserve stock, and hero the stock "will be opened up, marked off, and prepared for display in the various' departments. Whon the whole of the building at present in course of construe- I tion hi\s bevn completed, the top floor will have a space of 85ft * 75ft, and will adjoin tho original building. Provision has. been made in the eastern corner for a lift to carry goods from the ground to tho fourth story. The new building will not only -give Messrs. Kirkcaldie and Stains much-needed extra accommodation, but will prove r decidedly conveniont to th^e firm's patrons.