THE NEW ZEALAND LOAN AND MERCANTILE AGENCY COMPANY’S NEW WOOL AND GRAIN STORE.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 898, 17 May 1889, Page 19

THE NEW ZEALAND LOAN AND MERCANTILE AGENCY COMPANY’S NEW WOOL AND GRAIN STORE.

The New Zealand Loan and Mercantile Agency Company having decided to build co'mmodious wool and grain, stores and offices on the section at the corner o Eeatherston and Ballance-strcets, recently acquired from the ..Harbour Board the •work has been entrusted to Messrs Barry and McDowell, who will commence operations immediately. The building, 'Ouch is to be of briclr, was designed by Mr Thomas Turnbull, and is certain to be a valuable addition to the architectural features of the city, in addition to which it will be built on tlie newest principles and with a careful view to protection against damage by earthquakes or fire. Its frontage to Eeatherston-street will be 157 ft by a depth of 72ft fronting Bal-lance-street, and 84ft fronting Whitmorestreet. The height of the warehouse will be 60ft, and it is to be divided into three stories. Special provision has been made on each flat for good lighting for the purposes of displaying large clips of wool, etc., there being 117 circular-arched windows in addition to roof lights. Ihe main front in Featlierston-street is a very imposing one in a stylo of aichitecture. The entrance is a wide one, opening into a large vestibule paved with Minton tiles; and from the vestibule foldingdoors, handsomely glazed, open into a hall 19ft square, on the left of which are the Company’s general offices, together with the manager’s and inspector’s private offices, a public, waitingroom, etc. The public office will be 31ft by 231 ft, and the adjoining apartments will be"well finished and commodious. On. the right are four suites of offices which are to be let. It may be mentioned here that the space previously designed for tenants offices has been left vacant for the present, and can he fitted up when necessary. A wide staircase leading from the vestibule gives access to the upper floors. On the first floor there will be an auction sale room 20ft by 18ft, to be used for wool sales. The remainder of this, and the whole of the top floor will he occupied for storage cf merchandise, etc. At the north end of the warehouse there will he an inclined elevator worked upon the most improved principles, the motive power for which will be either gas or water ; and at the south end there is to he a hydraulic lift, A wide cartway runs right through the middle of the store from Whitmore-street to Ballance-street, and a travelling crane overhead will be used for loading or discharging at whatever part of the store may be necessary. Thus it will he seen that every provision has been made with a, view to facilitating, receiving, and discharging produce, In all other respects, also, every effort has been vnaoe for the achievement of convenience and comfort. The building will be erected on concreted piles, and the whole surface of the floor will he covered with asphalte for protec tion against vermin and damp. Kauri, red pine, and to tar a will be used for the joists, floors, &c. The front of the building will hear on it the Company s name, with the figures “1889,” and the words “wool” and “grain.” The Company's new offices will, when completed, be a handsome acquisition to the city, and the fact of their being built on the Thorndon reclamation will probably direct attention to the desirableness of that locality for busim ss sites, situated as it is in proximity to the railway stations and wharves. The Company’s determination to build such premises is a gratifying indication of the progress of trade and increased production.