TOWN IMPROVEMENTS

Southland Times, Issue 16890, 15 November 1911, Page 5

TOWN IMPROVEMENTS

THE COLONIAL BUILDINGS. It Is the intention of the Athenaeum Committee Immediately to carry out the long contemplated alterations to the old Colonial Bank premises, generally known as the Colonial Buildings. A contract was let on Tuesday to Messrs Walker Bros, at £3373 10s for the complete work as designed by Mr E. R. Wilson, architect. with only one alteration viz., the cleaning down of the old exterior wall surfaces. This work is to be done at a later date. The altered buildings will provide for the completion of the frontage to the Post Office square in keeping with the present stone frontages, and extensive internal rearrangements. Messrs Henderson and Co. will occupy the suite of offices to the north on the lower floor, and Mr Colin McDonald those at the corner of Dee street anfl Crescent. The old Crescent entrance will be done away with, and a new main entrance will be formed centrally In Dee street, giving access to a new vestibule and easy spacious staircase leading to the upper floor, where Mr F. W. Gresham, dentist, will have a complete and up-to-date set of apartments. The old tea rooms will be altered and renovated and the other old rooms treated likewise. With the tram terminus at the main entrance this building will be greatly improved by the projected alterations, and there can be no doubt that the enterprise of the Athenaeum Committee will be more than justified. The completion of the northern frontage will greatly enhance the appearance of Post Office square and add generally to the appearance of the central part of the town.