CITY IMPROVEMENTS.

Otago Witness, Issue 2391, 28 December 1899, Page 10

CITY IMPROVEMENTS.

Those who remember the old Queen's Theatre in its dilapidated state of 10 yeare ago will admit that the firm" into whose hands it passed have made good use of tho property. When tho firm made the first alteration it converted the theatre into an auction room and. art gallery. No trace of the firm's old business as auctioneers is how) discernible in the beautiful premises which have recently been finished. Through tho energy and enterprise of Mr Lorie the space at one time occupied by wool and rabbitskins is now occupied by tailors, tailoresses, and dressmakers, while the poultry pens and fruit) sale room are superseded by departments stocked with mantles and millinery.' Not thftb this has all been done at one sweep, for Mr Lorie, although not a Scotchman, has all the | caution which is characteristic of those who hail from that country. Since the firm first purchased tho drapery stock of a well-known firm, the drapery and clothing trade thus inaugurated has progressed with such strides that one alteration after another became necessary. The frontage of the premises, as it now exists, Mr Lorie claims to be the most up-to-date frontage in the colonies. In place of the old idea of keeping the show windows as near to the pathway as possible, those designed in this building are carried back from the pavement to such an extent as to form a recess or promenade, which enables shoppers to view, tho exhibits leisurely without being jostled by the pasrcrs-by. . Tire promenade is to be laicl with a beautiful design ill -tiles by the Jensen Company. The" two glass windows; which were Bft high, are now* replaced hy 11 sheets of glass 3.6 ft high, two very handsorcie g!a?s doors giving admittance straight to'the.ladieu' 1 ! and gentlemen's departments. The building ' inside has also been entirely transformed, and - those w!k> have not visited the premises' recently would find it difficult to recognise; them",-' Every partition between the front and the back of the building has been removed, and so an unobstructed view of tho enormous depth ofi some 200 ft is obtained. The left-hand aide, in which all the drapery stocks had previously to be accommodated, is now given over exclusively to the Manchester and dress departments, the haberdashery, fancy, and ladies' underclothing having been moved over to' the right-hand side, which was oocupied by the men's clothing and mercery. These .departments have now all to themselves the new premises, which have been built on the site of Messrs Rose and Muir's old shop, and a. splendid display they make, tailoring tweed* and the head cutter's table occupying one side, with mercery, Teady-made clothing, hats, and macintoshes on the other. At the end of these departments a noble utairway gives access to the work rooms and wholesale departments, behind the stairway being parcels and unpacking rooms, and a massive strong room. The furniture sale room occupies the .full width of the whole building behind, but in, full view of all the other departments, thus making a show room which it would be difficult to beat. Outside the main building is the upholsterers' factory, which, to guard against fire, ia separated by two fire-proo£ doors. The whole ' rebuilding has been completed in a very short space -of time, which reflects credit on the zeal and energy displayed by the workmen.

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