NOLAN AND CO.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LII, Issue 387, 12 May 1910, Page 2

NOLAN AND CO.

OPENING OF NEW WAREHOUSE. An industry that has gained a firm footing in Taranaki during the past few years is that of preparing hides for the market Previous to that time a large sum oi money was lost annually to farmers. Now there are several wool, hide and skin sales held in the province each month, and the thousands of hides and skins offered attract buyers, not only from the Dominion tanneries, but from lands across the sea. , With the increase of business and con-' fidence in the prosperity of the province, Messrs. L A. Nolan and Co. recognised that better accommodation was required for holding their monthly sale, of hides and skins, and have erected an' up-to-date two-storeyed warehouse. The I structure is built of camerated con-j crete, and was erected by Messrs. R. Bond and Co. of this town. It oceu-\ pies a corner position at the junction of Liardet street and Gill street. The premises are very commodious, the area of each floor being 80ft 10 in by about 40ft The entrance is on the Liardet street frontage, whilst on the Gill street side a dock is .provided for loading and unloadingl vehicles The ground floor is composed of concrete divided in bays, with channels between for carrymg off the water. In the centre is a weighing machine of the latest design. This is immediately opposite the cart entrance, and is so let into the concrete that its platform is on a level with the floor, thus doing away with any necessity for lifting. The upper floor is approached' by a flight of stairs at the far end of the building. It is carried on beams supported by ferro-concrete columns, and will be used principally for dry skins and storing chaff, straw, etc. In j the centre of this floor is a large trap,' or opening, for raising and lowering goods. An electric motor of three horse power is to be installed for this purpose. Electric light is fitted throughout. ' The first sale in the new premises was conducted yesterday morning, when some 400 hides, 100 skins and the usual catalogue of tallow and sundries were submitted. A large number of buyers attended, and keen competition ensued. Prior to the opening of the sale Mr I Christensen, of Patea, chairman of the. North Island Buyers' Association, made complimentary reference to the enterprise of Messrs. Nolan and Co. in erecting such a well-equipped and suitable building, and also to the architect and builder for the excellence of the work. He felt sure that the step was a wise one, and he had no doubt that business would greatly improve in the new prem-. ises. I At the conclusion of the sale an ad-. ;

journment was made upstairs, when, in addition to those who had attended the sale, there were present a number of representative business men of the town. In this part of the building re-j freshments had been provided for for-i mally opening the premises. His Wor-J ship the Mayor (Mr. G. Tisch) presided. In .proposing the health and prosperity of the firm of L. A Nolan and Co. the Mayor complimented the management on their enterprise in erecting so fine a warehouse. The firm had only been in business about four years, and the structure showed that they had every confidence iii the future of the magnificent district. It was the first building erected in the town of camerated concrete, and after viewing it he thought that the material must become popular both for business premises and residential structures. In several por-, tions of the province buildings Were being erected with camerated concrete, including the new winter show premises at Hawera. When the firm made the application to the Borough Council for permission to erect with camerated concrete, he, with his colleagues, quickly recognised the value of the new material, and although the by-laws did not provide for the erection of hollow-

wauea ounaings, permission was speedily granted. He considered that the ma-1 terial would be much in vogue, as it cost; a iittle less than .brick and was not a great deal dearer than wood. The Mayor then wished the firm of Messrs. L. A Nolan arid Co. all •prosperity,. and the health was drunk in bumpers to the tune of "They are jolly good fel-. lows." ' Mr. Nolan thanked the Mayor for his, good wishes, and those present for the! Jieartv manner in which thev had drunk I •the firm's health. He further thanked 1 the Borough Council for' their assista^-" in the erection of the •hniildincr m\A

smilingly remarked that he hopnd th« (Sty Fathers "would not want to put a new street through the new warehouse."