Dalgety and Co.'s New Warehouse.

Manawatu Standard, Volume XLI, Issue 8144, 18 November 1905, Page 7

Dalgety and Co.'s New Warehouse.

There was a time when,any buildings intended for such utilitarian purposes as a wool and hides store was by unwritten law required to be severely plain within and without, just as there was a period in architectural history when only abbeys and cathedrals were thought worthy of ornate design. But as years went by jit was recognised that beauty, in public buildings and private houses was desirable, and nowadays the trend of modern ideas is to combine usefulness and bsauty wherever practicable. An excellent illustration of this desirable combination is to be seen on Thorndon Quay, "Wellington, where a fine wool and gram store for the firm of Dalgety and Co., Ltd., designed by Messrs Crichtoa and M'Kay, of thit city, has this week been completed. Consisting of walls rising almost four square, having no interior division save a laised ground floor and a . first floor, the building is nevertheless an-attrac-tive feature in the aspect of Thorndon Quay by reason of its striking design. The front elevation is almost bordering on ths classical. Identified by two arch-topped doorways of striking design, topped with a parapet picked out with two fine pediments having richly-mould-ed entablature running" right through, with windows set well in and tricked out in bronze green to match the doors —the frontal wall itself gives setting to the picture by reason of the fine tuck-pointing design worked in to relieve the sameness of the brickwork. A broad band of cement finishing (tinted bluish grey) runs the whole length of tho front wall, and bears on its surface the name of the firm in raised letters of gold. The lower floor is raised a few feet above ground level so that the air may have free access. On this floor it is proposed to cure and store hides, while on the floor above wool and grain will be stowed. There is great capacity afforded, each floor being 132 ft x 100 ft. From the ground floor a 4-horse-power elevator will take wool and grain to the upper story, which has a capacity for about 8000 bales of wool. For expediting the running of grain down from top to bottom story, two grain shoots have been installed, and on the right of the main entrances offices for accommodation of the checking-in and checking-out officers have been installed. The walls of the building are very substantial—l Bin through and strengthened by 24in piers—and huge iron girders supported on iron stanchions of corresponding quality retain the_ first floor in position. The roof, wnich i3 of the design known as " saw tooth," is for the greater portion formed of glass, which fact will eminently ada.pt the building for wool gale* purposes. Tha building is distempered throughout with limewash, which gives it a light and airy appearance, and ihe windows are all glazed with roll plate glass. . Electric light apparatus has been installed throughout the building. The contractors for erecting tbo store were Messrs Sanders Bros., of Wellington, and the clerk of works was Mr Euckmott.

The store is considered by experts to be one of the most up-to-date wool stores in. the colony. The excellent lighting will no doubt be appreciated by both growers and buyers, and the arrangements for handling and showing sheepskins and hides could hardly be improved upon. There is also every facility for the storage and handling of grain, and for stocking seeds, manures, and all farmers' requisites.— Post.