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

New Zealand Times, Volume LI, Issue 8682, 16 May 1889, Page 7

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 commodious wool and grain stores and offices on the section at the corner of Feathersbon and Rallance-strcets, recently acquired from the Harbour Board, the TVbrk has been entrusted to Messrs Rarry And McDowell, who will commence opera-, felons immediately. The building, winch is -tdbe of brick, 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 Mb on the newest principles and with a careful view to protection against damage by earthquakes or fire Tbs frontage to Featherston-street will be imlX a depth' of 72ft fronting Bal-lance-street, and 84ft fronting Whitmore- . street. The height of the warehouse will be 60ft, and it is to be divided into throe . afcories Special provision has been made „n"Sh flat for good lighting for the purposes of displaying large clips of wool, .etc., there being 117 c . ir . c . u^, r ' arc^^ -windows in addition to roof lights. The •, main front- in Featherston-street is a very . imposing one in a modern style of architecture. The entrance is a mde 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 inspectors private offices, > public waiting--room, etc. The public office will be 31ft by 23ift, and the adjoining apartments will be”well finished and commodious. On 'the right are four suites of offices which are to be let. Ir may be mentioned here that the space pre-viously-designed for tenants offices has been left vacant for the present, and can be 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 woffi sales. The remainder of this, and the whole of the top floor will he occupied for _ storage of merchandise, etc. At the north end of the warehouse there will be 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 be 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 he 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 made 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 asphalt© for protec tion against vermin and damp. Kauri, red pine, and totara will be used for the joists, floors, &c. The front of the building will bear 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 proba. bly direct attention to the desirableness of that locality for business 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.