“THREE-IN-ONE” SCHEME

Hawera Star, Volume LIII, 19 October 1933, Page 9

“THREE-IN-ONE” SCHEME

NEW BUILDINGS IN HAWERA SHOPS, OFFICES AND GARAGE. WORK, TO COST £6OOO. Considerable public interest has been manifested during the past- month or no in the construction of new retail premises in Regent Street, Hawera, for George and Doughty, -Ltd. \\ hue this work in itself is of importance in, the community, it is actually only onethird of a very comprehensive scheme of building alterations and new construction work shortly to be completed by the remodelling of adjoining premises and the erection of two new office and workshop clocks. The centralisation of three businesses where previously there were two, and the installation of a continuous handsome show front jii plate glass, with large “island” show case windows in the centre premises, are destined to effect a radical change in the whole character of this section of the town. When the scheme is completed Regent Street should rival Union Street with its modern shops and the slogan “Advance Regent Street” has been quoted most appropriately. Tenders for the alterations and new construction work necessary to complete the scheme have been in the hands of the architects (Messrs. Duffi’l and Gibson) for some weeks and notification of the acceptance by the property owners, the Guardian Trust Company, acting for the estate of the late Sir R. 11. Nolan, and Mr. H. Caplen, of the lowest tender, that of Messrs. Boon Bfipj;. Ltd. (New Plymouth), was received yesterday. Thie cost to complete the scheme is in the vicinity of £6OOO. The next lowest tender, that of a Hawera contractor, was £BO more than that of Boon Bros. Ltd., which firm at present has in hand the construction of George and Doughty’s new premises. Adjoining the work in progress are tlje premises of Egmont Tourist Motors Ltd., the garage, offices and I showroom being .situated on the property of the late Sir R. H. Nolan and the workshop on the property of Mr H. Caplen. As the result of protracted negotiations Elgmont Tourist Motors Ltd. propose to vacate the garage and showroom and allow the premises to be taken over by the- Farmers’ Co-operal-ive Organisation Society for the purpose of Hawera branch offices and a large modern retail store. At the rear of these premises is vacant land, 46 feet by 76 feet, opening on to Riddiford Street on which are to be erected large and 1 in every respect up-to-date offices and bulk store in which to house the whole of the headquarters’ staff of the Farmers’ Cooperative Organisation Society, the bulk store to serve the shop fronting Regent Street, but with access toßuldiford Street. Both the branch and headquarters offices will be connected but separate administration for the purposes of greater efficiency will be maintained as at present. In keeping with the modern trend in all architectural work the show front to Regent Street will introduce to Hawera several entirely new features. A wide open entrance will give access to the retail departments, but most outstanding null be the “island” show eases in a recessed bay and novel night lighting. So far as the shop and branch offices are concerned, the present structure will not require to be remodelled to any great extent. There will be considerable interior construction, however, together with the laying of a'wooden floor on the present concrete base and the installation of show front, offioe and shop fittings and suspended verandah to give continuity with that of George and Doughty’s. It is proposed. to accommodate Egmont Tourist Motors, Ltd., in a fine new building to be expected on the -site of the present workshop. The plans provide for the erection of a most attractive front on modern lines finished in stucco, with ample natural lighting through handsome showroom windows and access through a . dignified entrance. Inside there will be an extensive area of floor space devoted to car storage and display, with offices and turntable. A new workshop 24ft by 66ft in ferro-concrete is to be erected .on vacant land at the hack and will be separated from the garage by large 'eliding doors. The plant and machinery will be installed in a manner that will ensure the utmost efficiency in workshop administration. The whole area occupied by garage -and workshop will have a frontage to Regent Street of 66 feet and a depth of 166 feet. The scheme is regarded as one of the most ambitious ever attempted in Hawera, and the architects (Messrs Duffill and Gibson) have been complimented on the designs submitted for the three jobs in one. Work will be provided for a large number of skilled tradesmen and labourers, whose wages will be subsidised by the Unemployment Board under the No. 10 scheme for the relief of unemployment in the building trade. It is proposed, to complete the new block in Riddiford Street first, then the workshop and garage and finally the retail store and branch offices. A. definite date of commencement has not been decided.

NEW COLD STOKES. PLA'NS FOR CONSTRUCTION. New cold stores are to 'be erected in Haw era for Messrs T. H. Walker and Sons, Ltd., at a cost of approximately £2OOO, the successful tenderer being Mr A. O. Brown, of New Plymouth. According to the plans and specifications prepared by Messrs Duffill and Gibson, architects, the stores are to be constructed in ferro-concrete, 47 feet by 55 feet, at the Egmont Bacon Factory on the Tawhiti Road. The stores will consist of four freezing chambers for the storage and handling of the factory’s products, the floors and walls being . insulated with cell concrete and the ceiling with cork. To prevent the ground beneath _ the stores from freezing, thus “lifting” the ivhole structure, the specifications provide for a layer of boulders beneath the main floor of concrete six inches in thickness. On top of the concrete will be a layer of cell concrete nine inches in thickness, finally covered by a “wearing” floor of concrete three inches in thickness. All the doors will be insulated with cork.