MESSRS. HARCOURT & CO.'S NEW WAREHOUSE.

New Zealand Times, Volume XLIII, Issue 7222, 18 July 1884, Page 3

MESSRS. HARCOURT & CO.'S NEW WAREHOUSE.

Messrs Harcourt and Co., warehousemen and soft goods importers, have recently vacated the premises which they for so long a time occupied on Custom-house-quay, and have migrated to the very extensive stores owned by Messrs •Jacob Joseph and Co., almost immediately opposite the ollices of the New Zealand Times, on Lambtonquay. The store is the largest and most commodious warehouse of the kind in the city. Outwardly the building has undergone no change, with the exception that the handsome facade has cast off its old grimy appearance, and has been rehabilitated, so far as the painter’s handiwork is concerned. Quite a transformation, however, has taken place in the interior of the promises, which, from being a dark and dingy series of Hats, encumbered with innumerable little offices, is now a bright and cheerful emporium of useful ancl beautiful fabrics. The place from basement to roof has thoroughly renovated, relittcd, and'altered, in order that it may bo adapted to the requirements of a leading soft goods warehouse ; and the result is that Messrs Harcourt and

Co. ,havo now an establishment which will bear favorable comparison with any similar house in either Melbourne or Sydney. Access to the first story is gained by a broad, handsome and wolflighted staircase, and passing through a pair of Irrgo plate-glass, swing doors, tho visitor finds himself in a largo room of 100 ft by COft. A broad avenue conducts him to tho general office, which is separated from the warehouse by a broad counter. On the right is tho accountant’s room, and further on is the private counting house of tho head of the linn. Tho remainder of tho flat is appropriated to tho Manchester, furnishing, flannels and blanket departments, all of which, entirely separate and distinct branches, are presided over by separate heads, who are responsible only for their own particular departments. Tho convenience of the various employes would appear to have been studiously considered, a lavatory and other conveniences having been fitted up on this floor. Tho second storey, whichlis of equal proportions with tho first floor, with the exception that it is not quite so lofty, is devoted to tho display of dress goods, jackets and (shawls and of carpets, each of which are separate and distinct departments, and in addition to these departments there are tho calico and ties, tweeds, and coating departments. The third storey is appropriated to haberdashery end tewing machines, millinery and underclothing, dress pieces and ribbons. Most of tho goods are laid out on broad counters where they may bo easily inspected by customers, but tho more costly goods, such as dresses, silks, velvets and ribbons, aro bestowed in handsome glass cases, shelves and drawers. The top or front floor is used for storing bulk goods, bales, &c., and on this floor alono there must be stored goods valued at many thousands of pounds. Tho front portion of tho basement is devoted to entering room, which is fitted up with clerks’ desks, bins, &3., for packing goods. Behind tho entering room is a bond store capable of holding 200 tons. Tho fittings throughout the warehouse are most complete, and aro of kauri and red pine finely French polished, and have boon furnished at a cost of LISOO. Each Hat can bo illuminated with gas stars of thirty lights. Tho establishment is fufnished with a patent hydraulic lift, and on each storey is a bell, which is rung as the lift ascends or descends. Every precaution would appear to have been taken to guard against accidents in connection with tho lift, and, in tho event of the chain breaking, tho lift automatically grips tho sides of tho shaft, and stops tho downward progress of the cage. Ample provision has been made for the protection of the premises in case of a fire breaking out, ami on each flat there is a hose and a good water service. Messrs Harcourl and Go. yesterday celebrated tho Opening of their new and handsome warehouse by inviting a number of gentlemen of the city who are interested in trade and commerce to inspect the premises, and after the inspection tho visitors woto invited to partake of wine, &(s. The painting and decorations, which have been well and tastefully Carried out, wore entrusted to Mr W. Tinney, of .Molesworth-street,