CITY IMPROVEMETS.

Otago Witness, Issue 1892, 15 May 1890, Page 11

CITY IMPROVEMETS.

AECADB ALTERATIONS,

There are alterations being made to the Arcade at present which, when completed, will give it an entirety different appearance, aud in truth people frequenting it a few months hence will be inclined to seriously ask themselves if they are really in tbe " old " Arcade. The projected changes, it may be stated, are being wrought under the direction of a syndicate ot gentlemen who recently bought tbe Arcade from Mr D. Campbell for a sum, so it is said, of £20,000, but on this point those most interested are silent. These gentlemen intend — in fact they have already commenced — to pat quite a new face on matters. At the High street end a beautiful iron verandah, about 66ft long, is to be erected, and for design and general workmanship it promises to excel anything of the kind that is to be found in the city. Then all of the central shops on the east side are to be removed, and their space turned into an entrance into a concert hall, which it is intended to erect. This building will be 58ft long, 48ft broad, and about 20ft high, and as it is to be built on the most improved plan it should prove very suitable, besides which its central situation should reudr r it popular. On top of the hall in to be erected a photographic gallery for Mr Clifford, with nil fine latest improvements in that Hnp, and all the sippurtenances ou the best American principles. The entrance to the coaeert hall will be 26ft long and 14ft broad, and from one of its sides will lead the staircase to Mr Clifford's In the Arcade, opposite this entrance, is to be placed the orchestrion that was on view iv the exhibition show grounds. It id to be placed on massive iron pillars Bft high, and will be enclosed in a glass case, excepting at the top. Of course, the iatention of this arrangement ia 1o act as a " draw " to the Arcade, and there 18 no doubt it will bring about the desired object, as the orchestrion was a general favourite while at the exhibition. It will be worked between 3 and 4 p.m. each day in the winter-time (excepting Sundays), and between 3.30 and 4.30 p.m. in the summer ; and, in addition, it will he utilised between 8 and 9 p.m. on Saturdays. Mr F.

Howell, of the Octagon, is at present tuning and repairing the instrument. All the shops in the Arcade are being renovated and painted, the roof is also to be painted, the glass at the sides is to be cleaned, and the drainage — which is already good— is to be attended to; so that altogether the Arcade will, in a very short time, have the appparance of a new structure. It is understood that this very desirable end ia being accomplished by the combined capital of a number of Melbourne and Dunedin gentlemen.