A CUBA-STREET IMPROVEMENT

Evening Post, Volume LXXXVIII, Issue 79, 30 September 1914, Page 2

A CUBA-STREET IMPROVEMENT

■» C. SMITH, LTD. From a small shop in Cuba-street the business of C. Smith, Ltd., has so grown that it has been necessary to occupy v, site sufficient to provide for an establishment 84 feet wide, by 195 feet deep, and built in three floors. In many respects so far asshop-planinng is concerned the new premises are unique in New Zealand. There are_ plate glass front windows, but the> are in reality huge glass showcases, for behind them are tho windows of tho new_ shop itself. Thus a, spacious tiled vestibule is provided which makes a most attractive promenade, so to say — a great advantage in a narrow street like Cubastreet — and affording close inspection of the goods under daylight. It is above all things necessary in a. busineas of 'this description to have as much daylight as possible in the interior. This has been skilfully attained by two vast light wells, one 32 foot by 32 foot, and the other 32 feet by 24 feet, all receiving light from tho roof, and rendering the matching of colours, and close inspection of materials as easy to do under the roof as out in the open air. In some departments the old- fashioned wooden counters have been replaced by plate-glass brass framed cases, which servo the same purpose. Dresses and robes axe not hero kept on shelves, but are suspended upon hangers in glass presses, which enables them to be seen at a glance, and kept in uncrossed condition. They can all be brought out for inspection in one operation. Children's costumes are similarly accessible. By night these new premises, which are but the first portion^ of one great establishment, are illuminated by electric light. At present all stock is being removed from the old premises to the now ? a.nd business is being carried on as usual. As soon as all is removed then the building of the second half will be cone on with. It will be an imposing establishment when completed, more so when viewed from within than from without. All ceilings have been covered with Wunderlich steel, onTbossod in rich designs, and painted a flat white. A spacious lift -will be erected in tho second half of the building, giving access to all upper floors. Elaborate precautions hayq been taken against fire by the installation of Grin^ nell Sprinklers, which on a, certain temperature being raised libor-ate showers of water upon a given spot. There are fire escapes to every floor- 1 — an important matter whore largo numbers of hands are employed. A cursory inspection, of the new premises will show what a vast amount of -thought has been expended upon the planning of such an undertaking from tho compress air cash tubes from every counter assistant to the central battery (sis it were) on the great first floor. The work will cost when completed over £20,000 for building and fittings. Mr. J. Charlesworth was the architect.