A HOUSE-WARMING.

Evening Post, Volume LXVII, Issue 148, 23 June 1904, Page 2

A HOUSE-WARMING.

MKPSRS. UAVIS AND CLATKR. AL the jnvitnlioii of Mes*is. Davis nnd Cltitcr, who have jutjl taken poascssion of their new pi'diUKis, 95 and 97, Jiiimb-Uui-ciii*y (opyohita it^. juncUou i\ttli Br.m-clon-utivct), a coiteidvruble number of local butiinotih men yesterduy participated in !i "house wanning" cci oniony. Tho visitors were taken over the new promises, which wore generally admired, nud many compliments woie pmd the firm upon the excellcnco of the design. A* expl«ined ycalerduy, Ihe building has beeneiectcd icu: the Evans estuto, and was designed by Mr. John S. Swan, but that portion which ia in the occupation of Messrs. Davis <jtnd Water has been unauged iv accordance >vith the wishes of the firm. The «hop is a line roomy one, with interior 'space measuring something lilce 30f(. x 56ft. It has three chow windowa fronting tJio Quay, and two entrances through sliding panel doors, ■with mirrors on the wall fide. The inleiior fittings mark a new departure in shop furnishings, in that they compiise some half a dozen counters ranged round the shop, e«ch Wack enamelled, and designed both for show purposes and for expeditious work, and also, as in the ca&o of the fittings, to prevent the congregation of dust. The cash desk occupies the centre of the apartment, and in a line with it are two large display counter, while glass nhow cases stand opposite the doorway. The shop is fixtured with shelving, etc., on both sides, and smavt display stands in brass,- embodying tho overhead system, of brass rods, spring upwards from the counters, while the openings between the counters are intersected with mirrors. The accommodation includes a storcioom under the staircase leading to tho upper stories, which are not in occupation of the firm, a btrong room, office, lavatory, ladies' fitting room, and gentlemen's fitting room, and behind these is a general workroom of a commodious character with dining room and lavatories for the staff, another storeroom, ami a yard. The whole interior, which is well lighted nnd heated, is up-to-dato and distinctly attractive. Mr. VV. L. Thompson, contractor for the builcfing, constructed the fittings for the firm. " The verandah in front of the building is somewhat of a novelty, tho front half being of glass, and tho other of wood. At thy entertainment which followed the inspection Mr. H. C. Wilson, who in conjunction with Mr. J. M. Richardson, carried on business on Lainbton-quay many years ago, proposed "Success to Davis and Clater." He referred to the fact thofc his firm were at one time tho employers of both Mr. Davis aud Mr. Clator, and he spoke in unqualified terms of praise of the manner in which both had discharged their duties, the relationbhip between employers and employees having been of a very pleaaanb character. Ho eulogised the onterpriae of Messrs. Davte and Clater, and wished them continued success. Mr. 11. F. Davis, in replying, said that his partner and himself had from the first done their best to gain the confidence of the public. They Kad never knowingly misrepresented things, and to - that fact they could attribute a great deal of (heir succors. Thft premise* were thoroughly up-to-date, and tho firm would be able to carry on their increasing business much more satisfactorily than under the old conditions!. Mr. Davis thanked Mr. C. H. Izard, attorney for the Evans's trust, which ou-ns Ui© ' freehold of the new promifict, for the way in which he had met the firm in the matter of tho erection of the building, and ho also ."•poke highly of the manner in which Mr. J. S. Swan (architect) and Mr. W. L. Thompson (tho builder) had carried out tlicir Avork. Several other to,isl« were honoured, and pood wishes expressed for the firm's future.