CITY IMPROVEMENTS.

Lyttelton Times, Volume XCIII, Issue 10566, 28 January 1895, Page 3

CITY IMPROVEMENTS .

MESSES MASON, STRUTHEBS AND CO.’S NEW BUILDING. Messrs Mason, Struthers and Co. have just completed a handsome addition to their premises, which ia a decided improvement to Colombo Street. The firm, it may be noted, started business in 1874, the premises then occupying a covered-in space of 4986 square feet, with an open yard of one-eighth of an acre. In 1894 the floor space of the retail department was 15,180 square feet, and of the wholesale deparment 24,476 square feet, tho total floor-space being 39,656 square feet, with an open yard equal to halt an acre. The original building waa situated in the Triangle, Colombo Street, tho yard being at the corner of Colombo and Lichfield Streets. Tha_ present retail department was erected in 1876, and in 1883 the premises were extended by the erection of tho wholesale ironmongery and saddlery warehouses. The firm has now extended tho Colombo Street frontage 46ffc, the depth being 66ft. The staircase formerly situated at the southern aide of the shop has now been placed in tho centre, an archway giving communication with the new portion. The inner floor of tho now annexe, which ia 46ft x 66tt, with a height of 14fb, ia . devoted to the display of stoves, ranges, garden tools, safes, mangles, dairy utensils and every kind of hollowara. Mounting the stairs, in the centre of the main shop, tho department, devoted to household furnishing is reached. Hero marble and slate mantelpieces, register stoves, cutlery, plated ware, &c., in all the latest improved patterns, are displayed. Registers, with hearths and fenders, aro shown, as well as in sets. Some handsome glass cases, filled with plated ware of every description attach attention, while a good collection of starling silver goods aro displayed in a safe near by. Against one of the walls ten mantelpieces are set up, embracing some splendid specimens. Behind the counter the shelves aro devoted to cutlery in tho most modern style and of all classes. At the eaetern aide is a door used for the rocep-

tion and delivery of goods. Bedsteads, fenders, brushware, lawn tennis, cricket and croquet requisites are now given a show-room - over the front shop. One of tho most attractive features of the new building ia the facility given for the display of goods, this being specially not-a,bio-in the fine plate-glass windows, which are 15ft x 10ft each. These are to be used for showing furnishing and general ironmongery. Messrs Mason", Struthers and Co. are to be complimented on making such a fino addition to their premises, which now constitute one of the show places of the city.