NEW ROUTE TO THE LIBRARY

Taranaki Daily News, 3 September 1928, Page 10

NEW ROUTE TO THE LIBRARY

ARCADE SHOP FOR NEW PLYMOUTH FIRST OF ITS KIND IN THE TOWN. Giving direct and convenient access from Devon Street to the New Plymouth Public Library in King Street, a modern arcade shop, with 4000 square feet of floor space, is to be opened for Halliwell’s on Wednesday morning. Up till the present the firm has occupied premises facing Devon Street only, but they have now been extended to the other side of the block, and display windows have be-en installed oxi both frontages. Apart altogether from the increased facilities it will give for the up-to-date display of goods, the arcade—the first in the town —represents a most important step in the development of the business area. It will provide a muchneeded covered thoroughfare from the main street to the library, reducing the distance considerably and constituting a boon fox- those desiring to make the journey on a wet day. When the shop is opened again on Wednesday it will have assumed the character of a large departmental store. A very special feature is being made of the toy department, and it is claimed that the range of mechanical contrivances, dolls, and other things made for the delight of children will be the most complete in the town. One section alone is to be set aside for the display of Meccano parts and Hornby clockwork and electric trains, four cases of which were brought from England by the Coptic, which arrived at Auckland the other day. Boys with a mechanical turn of mind—and they all have that—will find a source of constant interest in this division of the arcade.

Those entering the shop from Devon Street will pass through a comprehensive display of glassware towards the shelves of crockery occupying one side of the central part of the arcade. On the other side will be cases containing the more expensive kinds of china and glassware, including some very choice and beautiful exhibits. Nearby will be a stand showing the newest styles in ladies’ English handbags, while further on still will be departments devoted to cutlery, clocks and watches, brushware and kitchen hardware. Complete ranges of Thermos flasks, flashlight torches, mirrors, photo frames, stationery and toilet requisites are but a very few of the multitudinous lines that are specialised in by Halliwell’s. The new part of the shop running back from King Street is just twice as wide as the original position on Devon Street. It includes a room down one side for bulk storage and for the opening up of goods for display in the window’s and on the shelves. Double doors designed to admit large cases give separate access to the room from King Street. A feature of the arcade will be the modern and most efficient methods of lighting by day and by night. White panelled plaster has been used to finish the walls and ceiling and makes a splendid reflecting agent for the sun ■ light and fox- "the ample electric illuminations in the evening. The new building through which the arcade runs to King Street has been erected in concrete for Mr. J. W. Kurta by Mr. F. S. Grayling, Mr. T. H. Bates being the architect.’*