PROGRESSIVE PALMERSTON,

Evening Post, Volume LXXXIII, Issue 151, 26 June 1912, Page 24

PROGRESSIVE PALMERSTON,

REPLACING THE OLD UNION BANK, J)B. STOWE'S FINE EESIDENCE. - SOLLITT BEOS. THE BUILDEES. " The demands of the travelling public, and the ever-increasing importance and popailation of Palmerston North, are daily becoming more exacting, and the steps being taken by the heads of the large business institutions doing business in the town show that they are fully aliv& to the possibilities of the future. The latest addition to the buildings of this class is the handsome new banking chambers now nearing completion for <ihe Union Bank of Australia, Ltd., situavted in the Square and at the corner of C'oleman-plaoe. It was in 1881, under the' management of Mr- G. A. M'Quarry, ihafc the bank first commenced operations an Palmerston. Mr. Barnicdtt, the present manager, arrived in Palmerston. on February, 1893 nineteen years ago — » B»d has occupied the position of manager ever since. His staff then com■pcisad one solitary man; to-day there is-a-staff ofreight, exclusive of Mr. Barnioofcfc. It is eight months since the contract-- -was put in hand, and by the time this- appears in print the palatial structure, -which in every respect will be in conformity with that suitable for a big inland city, will have been almost completed, and it certainly forms one of ihe most imposing architectural construction in the Square. No expense ias been spared in carrying out the ■work, and efficiency has not been sacrificed for mere superficial display. The new building has a frontage to the Square of 45ft., and to Coleman-place 104 ft. It is two stories in height, and the internal arrangements have been planned in such a manner as to facilitate everything connected with the working of an up-to-date banking institution. The i ground floor consists of a banking .chamber 44ft. by 37ft., with a ceiling of oarer 16ft. The chamber will be fitted up in the most approved fashion necessary for the genial manager, Mr. Barni«ott, and his staff. The ceiling is being panelled, and when finished will give a very fine appearance to the interior. The walls are to be finished off in white with Keen's cement plaster, with a heavy cider panelled dado four feet high. The manager's room is 14ft. 6in. by 14ft. The strong room is 12ft. by 01ft.; bicycle room 18ft. by 12ft. In addition, there are also finely fitted-up lavatories, and every possible convenience for the staff. The access to the residential portion is from Colemanplace, and here we find that every attention has been given to the comfort of the manager and his family. The dining loom, 18ft by 17ft, is to be finished in an up-to-date modern style, with panelled ceiling and lovely figured rhnu paneßing on the walls to a height of 7ft., above which is finished in white plaster. The kitchen, scullery, and all other necessary conveniences are als>o on the ground floor. From the hall there is access to the first floor by a handsome stair. Here are six bedrooms, both single and double, all of which are light, airy, and large. The drawing room, ■which measures 24ft by 17ft 6in, 4s a magnificent room situated at the corner of the building overlooking the Square. Ample provision has also been made for bathrooms, cupboards, and other necessary conveniences. The main structure is ofr brick and concrete. All bricks were made locally by E. P. Edwards, and naturally are of really first-class quality. SOLLITT BEOS., LTD., BUILDEES. - SoUitfc Bros., who have earned a great Imputation for solid workmanship, were the successful tenderers at a total cost of nearly £6000, and with this job, like every one undertaken by this firm, they have carried out their work to the satisfaction of all. It can almost be said of the firm that they have contributed more to the size of Palmerston and its beauty than any other firm of builders On the coast. It says a great deal for the resource and business management of Sollitt's when one takes the trouble to ride or walk round this town or district any day of the week, and wherever a job is in hand make enquiries <■ who are the builders, and nineteen times out of every twenty the name Sollittsis given; and therefore it is only natural that anything appertaining to a reference to the development of Palmerston would be incomplete without a reference to the premier builders and joinery manufacturers of the town.

Their yards and factory, which are the most extensive on the Coast, are situated in East-street, at Terrace End, and here it is one gets a glimpse of the wide and extensive business conducted by them. They employ fifty hands, and, like many other commercial concerns, cpuld do with a good many more at times, but they make a point of employing only the most expert tradesmen in every line of their business, and here lies to some extent the secret of their success. No shimmers need apply for a job there, because it is only by sound reliable work and faithfulness to detail that Sollitts have gained the great reputation they possess for workmanship. Their factory and plant, which represents thousands of pounds, exemplify the highest professional skill brought to bear | in their business. Every sort of et- j eeteras required on their jobs are manu- 1 factured by their own skilled workmen, I and they also supply others with sashes, doors, mantlepieces, and everything' else appertaining to the builder's trade. Sollitt Bros, have extensive sawmills of their, own in the Ohakune district, and from there constant supplies of the best

class of timber is daily brought to hand. Many residents who do not care to have the trouble and bother of calling tenders for their homes invariably go direct to Sollitt's, for it is recognised by every one who entrusts the work to them that a faithful_ fulfilment of all^ conditions can be relied on. WITHERS & THOMPSON, . 48, Rangitikei-street, Palmerston Nortlu The above firm, although only esta-^ blished a few years in Palmerston, exerts considerable influence in the plumbing, gas-fitting, and drain-laying trade of the district. .Messrs. Withers and Thompson have carried out many'important- works since establishing themselves'in Palmerston, fully proving that they are experts in their, line of business, and naturally the demands on their- services at tunes become heavily taxed. The firm, among other impor- | tant works, carried out the plumbing, j gas-fitting, and drain-laying on both the new Union Bank and "Dr. Stowe's fine residence for Messrs. Sollitt Bros, in a very creditable manner, and reflects great credit on the firm and their staff, and proves that it is not at all necessary to go to one of the larger centres to get a firm to carry out a contract requiring a sound knowledge of up-to-date plumbing and expert workmanship. Messrs. Withers and Thompson carry a large stock of sanitary and general plumbing goods, which they import direct from the manufacturers, and are therefore able to defy any outside competition. In addition to the general plumbing and tinsmithing business, they are agents for Messrs. Methven and Co., Ltd., coppersmiths, Dunedin; Thos. Crompton and Sons, galvanised holloware manufacturers, Christchurch ; and also district agents for the now renowned Aerogen Safety Gas Machines and Titan Direct Action Windmills. See the gas machine illustrated elsewhere. THE ARCHITECTS. The Union Bank buildings ,-were designed and specifications prepared by Messrs. Penty and Lawrence, architects, of Wellington. CLERK OF WORKS. The work is being carried out under the supervision of Mr. Campbell Colquhoun, clerk of works, Wellington. BUDLDING FOREMAN. Mr. Edwin Dymock is in charge of the whole of the works as building foreman, and the plastering work is in the capable hands of Mi. C. T. Emeny, of Wellington.

FEILDING AND PLATT SUCTION GAS LWGLNIiS AND PLANTS. Mecdrd. Murray and Thomas, 'Engineer-, of ilan^hikoi-sueet, Palmenston North, have jint been appointed sole agents for the above for the district extending from Wellington to Auckland. Full par.tic.uki3, including testimonials from satisfied users, can be had on application..

OSGOOD AND HANCOCK, THE PAINTERS AND DECORATORS. Messrs. Osgood and Hancock, importers of art -vail papers and papier mache decorations, painters and house decorators, of Rangitikei-street, Palmerston, •were the sub-contractors under Sollitt Bros, for the work on the new bank, and also at Dr. Stowe's residence, and it may be said with perfect confidence that their portion of the work was carried out with great skill and satisfaction. Osgood and Hancock are the principal exponents of the painting and decorative trade in Palmerston. They employ a staff of expert artisans, and the many local public and private huildings on which they have operated bear testimony to the skilful manner in which all their contracts are completed. The business was started in a small way sixteen years ago, and its development speaks with greater force than columns of eulogy, however well deserved. Their premises in Rangitikeistreet contain a large and varied selection of art wall papers. The variety held by this firm is a source of interest and pleasure to all lovers of artistic decorations, and an inspection of the stock cannot fail to impress the observer with ' the perfection to which th» manufacture has attained and the facilities within the reach of the least affluent for the adornment of the home. It is impossible for us, within the space at our disposal, to describe in detail the raised flock papers on gold and coloured grounds, lacquered and embossed leather papers, crystal, damask, and frosted gold papers, Lignomur dado, and panel decorations, and the many other beautiful specialities for which this house has become noted. To do so would fill many columns of this publication. Suffice it to say that the firm, who import direct from the manufacturers, have exerted themselves to the utmost to stand second to none for the supply not only of the foregoing, but of glass, paints, oil, and all decorative materials, and their exceptionally comprehensive stock is ample demonstration oi the success of their endeavours. DR. STOWE'S RESIDENCE. The picture herein produced of this fine home, which has just been erected in Linton-street, opposite the Gentlemen's Club, is another fine example of Sollitt Bros.' work. GOLDEN BAY CEMENT. An interesting feature in connection with the Union Bank is that the cement used right throughout, from the foun-

dation to the parapet, is of colonial manufacture — namely, the Golden Bay Cement. Anyone doubtful of the fact that a cement manufactured locally cannot equal English must feel well satisfied after seeing it used in such a fine, building and under the supervision of Penty and Lawrence, whose reputation as architects is so well known. Mr. Campbell Colquhoun, who has been clerk of works on so many of the best works in the Dominion, says that he has 'never -seen better results than what was attained in the Union Bank with Golden Bay Cement. Mr. Colquhoun was particularly pleased with the main columns in the banking chamber. The columns are 16ft. in height, and carry the upper story. To come out without defect in long columns is the severest test cement is put to, and "absolutely;" faultless" is the -verdict from all who see them. Arthur Hopwood, ironmonger, Palmerston North, is the local agent for Golden Bay Cement, and anyone about to do any concrete work- should write for free booklet on concrete and its many uses, and how to mix it. Aithur Hopwood is Palmerston agent for this cement.