Fine Addition To Whangarei’s Modern Buildings

Northern Advocate, 2 October 1943, Page 7

Fine Addition To Whangarei’s Modern Buildings

Latest addition to the number of Whangarei’s modern building premises, the North Auckland Farmers’ Co-op. Ltd’s new building, which will be opened officially on Monday afternoon, is a model of convenience.

In accordance with the modern trend and in conformity with the expansion which can be expected in Whangarei after the termination of the war, every effort has been made, and successfully, to meet the convenience of patrons, both in enabling them to secure their requirements with a minimum of effort and in ensuring their comfort while in the store, and also to provide facilities for efficient staff work.

Impressive Appearance

The exterior impressiveness of the new Walton Street premises, with their 100 ft. of display windows, divided by a wide corner entrance, is maintained in the interior with its utilitarian atmosphere. Externally, the reinforced concrete building presents a most pleasing appearance. The 100 ft. of window space is divided into sections, allowing free and generous display of the various goods stocked, while the chrome-finished window frames give a bright effect enhanced by the surrounding facings in terV 57.7.0.

The wide verandah which surmounts the display windows has unusual roofing. Galvanised flat iron not being available, the verandah roof has been finished in a manner new to Whangarei, a special preparation of hessian and bitumen being employed. The main feature of this type of roofing is that it is unaffected by atmospheric conditions and does not expand and contract in the difficult way of some roofing materials, and it is thereby as fully efficient as the more common iron-roof.

Spacious Entrance

The principal entrance is at the corner which divides the window mace on the tw® sides of

ing. A new departure for Whangarei has been made in the provision of the main entrance, which has two pairs ot doors giving a total width of 12 feet. An' additional entrance from Walton Street gives access to the auctioneers' offices as well as to the main offices and store.

A special provision is an entrance at the rear giving direct access to the store and offices from the car parking area which the company has provided on the adjoining section. By the provision of ‘this parking area the firm has contributed not only to the convenience of customers but has relieved street congestion by the removal of customers’ cars from the streets. .

Attention to Lighting

Roominess and lightness are striking features of the interior. A new section at the back and one side of the original store has provided space for the new general offices, leaving the space formerly used for clerical work to be employed as the new store. This portion of the building has been entirely remodelled with a completely new front, while an addition for the full length of the store building has also been made.

Every consideration has been given to flighting and both store and offices are exceptionally well lit, naturally and artificially. Ample natural light is provided by windows above the verandah and from light wells in the ceiling, which also give ventilation. The main shop has been finished in three different tones of cream with relief in green, giving a restful, clean and comfortable appearance. Freedom For Display

Division of the hardware, saddlery, grocery and provisions departments is distinctive without interfering with freedom of customers, while the commodious floor space allows for large display cases.

Contrasting with the cream painting of the store is the walnut veneer of the large counters and the interior doors, the latter having a special feature in sand-blasting reeded glass. The floor has been covered, under the linoleum, with special insulating board for the purpose of deadening sound and preventing interference by store noises with the work of the main office, these having been retained together without partition so that direct communication from one to the other is afforded. , Provisions’ For Staff. The lighting. Which is such a noteworthy feature of the store, applies equally to the staff quarters, the firm having given thought to its employees as well as its patrons. Seperate lunch rooms for male and female staff are included and where necessary, open fireplaces have ben installed. All doors into the main office have been fitted vvifh air checks to prevent draught. The contractor Mr. O. R. Haigh, of Whangarei) has carried out the work under difficulties. The new office portion of the building only had been finished when lack of labour preventd the remainder rf the work being carried out, but after an interval of about 18 months, completion has been effected.

The work is a credit to the contractor who, despite difficulties associated with war-time building, succeeded in obtaining all the innumerable lines great and small, necessary to complete the work, an achievement in itself.

The new premises will be officially opened on -Monday afternoon after the annual meeting of shareholders has been held.