THREE IN ONE” SCHEME

Hawera Star, Volume LIII, 9 March 1934, Page 6

THREE IN ONE” SCHEME

NEW BUILDINGS IN HAWERA SHOPS, OFFICES AND GARAGE. WORK NEARINGI COAfPLEfTION! During the past four or five months considerable public interest has been •frrahiffested in the extensive building alterations and new construction work that have been in progress in Regent Street, Hawera. The undertaking, which already has effected quite a radical change in the- appearance of this section of the town, has been described on aT previous occasion as the “three-in-one” scheme, because it provides for the centralisation in one block of three litrge businesses where previously there Were two. The handsome retail store completed for George and Doughty Ltd. early in December was but one-third of the 1 scheme and progress with the other tWO-thirds for the Farmers’ Co-opera-tive Organisation Society and the Egmont Tourist Motors Ltd. respectively was possible only after protracted negotiations with the property owners, the Guardian Trust Company in the estate of the late Sir R. H. Nolan and Mr H. C'aplen. The cost agreed upon for the completion of the scheme was approximately £6OOO. The scheme is regarded as one of the most ambitious ever attempted in Hawera. It has provided work for a large number of skilled tradesmen and labourers with theassistance of a subsidy allowed by the Unemployment Board under its No. 10 scheme for the relief of unemployment in the building and allied trades. Modernity has been the aim of the architects (Messrs Buffill and Gibson) in ptrepaxing the designs for the three jbb.s in one, and passing along the thoroughfare it is impossible not to be impressed by the fine outward appearance which the two finished structures present in striking contrast with the .tvpe of building they have replaced. The front of the third and the largest •bnildiiig td be occupied -by the Farmers’ Co-operative Organisation Society is undergoing rapid transformation. In keeping with the modern trend and in conformity with the example set by George and Doughty Ltd., the show front -Of this 'building will introduce to Hawera several entirely new features. A wide open entrance will give access from '[lichent Street to the departments of what will be Havvera’s largest provision store, but most outstanding will be the “island” show cases in a recesseci foay and novel night lighting. Besides the retail departments accommodation .will he provided in the buildino- for the Hawera branch offices of the society. At the rear of the premises a large and in every respect up-to-date office block and bulk store opening on to Riddiford Street have been erected in ferro-concrete, the offices to house the headquarters staff of the society and the bulk store to serve the 'retail departments. Both the branch and headquarters offices ■will be connected, but separate administration for tjie purposes of greater efficiency will be maintained as at present. "The lay-out of the additional building is a model of office designing. Walls and ceilings beautifully finished fa plaster, ample natural lighting, spacious strongroom accommodation, sound-proof executive and board rooms and gas hot-air circulators, the most modern method of office heating, arc but a few of its features. A public vestibule opens on to Riddiford street and ’permits of pedestrian traffic through the store from Regent Street or vice-versa. So far as the store and branch/ offices are concerned the old structure, previously used as a garage by the Egmont Tourist Motors Ltd did not require a great deal of alteration. There will be considerable interior construction, however, together with the layinb- of a wooden floor on the present concrete base and the installation of was heating, show front, office and shop fittings and suspended verandah to S iy e continuity with that of George and Doughty Ltd. It is expected that it will be another two months before the premises are readv f° r occupation. Tlie firm of Egmont Tourist Motors Ltd is now accommodated m a fine new' building on the site of the old workshop. A most.attractive front designed on modern lines and finished in stucco has been erected with ample natural lighting through handsome showroom windows and access through a dignified entrance. Iniside there is an extensive floor space devoted to cai storage and display with offices, stoicroom and a finely balanced turntable. A new workshop 24ft by 66ft m feiroconcrete has been erected on land at the back and separated fram the garage bv large sliding doors lne plant and machinery have been installed in a manner that ensures the utmost efficiency in workshop administration; Within a few months, when the whole scheme has been completed and othei work, for which plans have hecn picnared carried out, Regent Street should present a most progressive appearance. i