BUILDING TRADE

Southland Times, Issue 20171, 6 May 1927, Page 8

BUILDING TRADE

AROUND THE CITY WORK ON BUSINESS PREMISES HOUSE-BUILDING AT A STANDSTILL The building trade in Invercargill presents a somewhat anomalous state of affairs at the present time, in that while constructional operations in regard to residences are practically at a standstill, the erection, reconstruction, or renovation of business premises is proceeding briskly in many parts of the city. “The whole trouble just now,” said a prominent architect yesterday, “is that houses are extremely difficult to dispose of, and of course as a corollary there is very little building going on. That is why there are so many skilled carpenters seeking work at the present time. The construction of business premises is left in the hands of contractors who have a permanent staff at their disposal.” Following a suggestion from him a tour of the city was made and the various operations viewed. MODERN PETROL STATION. Witfiin the last few days there has been finished one of the best equipped petrol service stations in the Dominion, this being erected by Messrs A. Russell and Co., Ltd., on the corner of Dee and Gala streets. The comer on which the building is erected has been rounded off in a pleasing manner and a shrubbery planted thereon, showing that the matter of beautifying as well as commercialising the corner has received attention. This station is equipped with five of the latest Milwaukee pumps, capable of handling up to 2500 gallons or more per day, and enabling five different makes of first or second quality motor spirit to be dispensed simultaneously. INDUSTRIAL CO-OP. SOCIETY’S BUILDING. Coming nearer the centre of the city there is the building erected in Kelvin road by the Progress Industrial Co-op. Society. This building has a frontage of 74ft 6in, a depth of 66ft and a height of 26ft. Embodied in the structure is a 53ft by 33ft shop for the society, a 37ft by 22ft bulk store, a basement 50ft by 22ft, and two other shops 15ft by 40ft. BUILDING SOCIETY’S PREMISES. Extensive alterations and additions are at present being carried out on the Southland Building Society’s premises in Clyde street. The frontage of the building is being extended by eight feet over two storeys, while the interior is undergoing extensive renovations. INVERCARGILL SAVINGS BANK. Work on the Invercargill Savings Bank’s new premises in Don street is proceeding satisfactorily. The frontage of the structure will be 60ft, the height 42ft, and the depth 70ft. The second storey will extend 51ft back from the frontage. In the case of the last two buildings, no attempt has been made to give more than a brief description, as more comprehensive reports will be available when completion is near at hand. THE TEPID BATHS. When the last progress report was written there was a likelihood of the work having to close down on account of the nonarrival of the roofing material. However, the work is still proceeding, and is being pushed on as rapidly as possible. FUTURE OPERATIONS. As far as can be ascertained the most important building operations to be taken in hand in the future will be the building of the new wing at the Technical College, and the reconstruction of the National Bank premises. These works will be commenced at an early date.