MESSRS BROWN, EWING, & CO.'S PROPOSED NEW BUILDING.

Otago Witness, Issue 1159, 14 February 1874, Page 5

MESSRS BROWN, EWING, & CO.'S PROPOSED NEW BUILDING.

Messrs Brown, Ewing, and Co. are about to erect a fine building in brick and cement, with plate-glass front to Princes street, on the site of their present business premises at the corner of Princes and Manse streets. The new structure is to have a frontage of 95 feet to Princes street, 110 feet to Manse street, with a depth which gradually diminishes from 80 to 8 feet. To judge by the plans, both fronts, especially the retail entrance from Princes street, will have an imposing appearance. The establishment will consist of a series of shops— in which the firm's retail business will be carried on — on the ground floor ; wholesale department and offices on the first floor ; and workrooms on the upper storey. Underneath the shops there will be capacious cellarage accommodation. THE KETAIL DEPARTMENT. The ground floor will be divided off into three large shops, the entrances to which are to be irom Princes street. With stylish plate-glass windows, each 13^ feet long and 14 feet high, opportunity will be afforded of making a fascinating display of the latest goods. The tailoring department is to be at the corner of Princes and Manse street. Next to it will be the clothing, and then the drapery department — the last-mentioned to be by far the largest, as it will be a spacious apartment, 80ft. by 30ft. All the retail departments, and in particular the drapery one, will be fitted up in the latest and most fashionable style. THE WHOLESALE DEPARTMENT. This, with the exception of a part taken off for offices, is to occupy the whole of the first floor. The entrance will be by a staircase from Manse street. It will also be approached by a stair from the retail establishment. The Manse street front will have the appearance of that of a wholesale warehouse. THE WORK-ROOMS. The whole of the upper storey is to be divided off into work-rooms. There will be carried on in that storey mantle-making, dress-making, millinery, tailoring, and should there be sufficient room, a clothing manufactory. Many of the general public will no doubt be surprised to learn that at present the firm has about 130 hands employed. It is their intention to extend their clothing factory largely, and the number of employes will then be considerably increased. CELLARAGE. The cellar accommodation under the new premises will be very large. The cellar will bo used for storing floor-cloths, for holding reserve stock, and for packing and entering rooms. The cellar is to be asphalted. OTHER PAK'nuULAItH. At the corner of Princes and Manse streets there is to be a clock tower. The dial is to be surmounted by a coat of arms. There is to be a hydraulic lift at Manse street, oapable of lifting ten tons, and communicating with the cellar and each iloor. The demolition of the present premises has been commenced. The part now being pulled down is that portion of the premises fronting Manse street, and used as a wholesale store by Messrs Brown, Ewing, and Co. for some years past. Previously it had been a printer's and stationer's shop. It Avas one of the firat buildings erected m Manse street, being run up in the exciting days of the rush, and for years past had a. most dilapidated and woe begone appearance for a place in a main thoroughfare. We understand that Messrs Brown, Ewing, and (Jo. contemplate submitting an offer to the Corporation to yield up a small portion of the section at the corner of Princes and Manse streets. Should this be carried out the appearance of the street and of their building would be improved. The contractors for the building are Messrs Ewing and Gracie. That part of the structure required for the drapery department is to be completed within three months, and the remaiuder of the premises within about six months.

The new building will add very consider' ably to the appearance of the block.

The Zouave, the Lord Chief Justice's yacht, goes to sea every Friday evening or Saturday morning with the learned judge for a cruise of about forty-eight hours, thus giving his lordship time to be in London on Monday morning for the Tichborue trial. The Chief Justice, when ou board, is engaged almost the whole time in writing.