NEW PLYMOUTH IMPROVEMENTS.

Taranaki Herald, Volume XLIII, Issue 9950, 10 March 1894, Page 2

NEW PLYMOUTH IMPROVEMENTS.

• AVERYS' NEW PREMISES. There can be no surer sign of progress than when an old established firm finds that its premises are inadequate to cope with the stream of business, nor can greater confidence be shown in that progress than when the necessity is seen and acted on of building new and more commodious premises. Such has been the experience of the well-known firms of Mr J. Avery tobacconist, and Mr T. Avery, printer and stationer; and as an evidence we have the handsome building which has just been completed in Devon-street, nearly opposite their late premises. The general character of the architecture- is Italian, and is beautiful and imposing. The front is sanded, giving it a striking resemblance to stone. The length of the building is 94 feet, width 35) feet, and the front elevation 3'J feet. The material used is rimu and matai. The architect, Mr James Sanderson has done his work well, and the result is an harmonious blending of beauty and utility. On approaching the shops, the first thing that strikes the attention is the artistic and skilful window sign-painting which has been done by Mr Holland of Auckland, and reflects great credit on him. The upper portions of both the plate glass windows are occupied with the signs. We enter Mr J. Avery's tobacconist shop, and are confronted with shelving containing a large and varied assortment of tobacco, pipes, and all the other paraphernalia of the devotees of the fragrant weed. The dimensions are 2Gft. by 14ft. At the back of the shop there is a packing room for export orders the size of which is 16ft by 14ft. Behind this there is a s>rnall sample room- 21ft by lift., and a large sample room 33ft by 21ft. These sample roomsare well lighted,and arefitted up with benches and shelves and should be of immense use to travellers. In Mr T. Avery's shop we find to the right shelves well filled with the latest standard works. On the left, the shelves are filled with miscellaneous stationery. There are two counters in front of these shelves. The dimensions of the stationery shop are 53 feet by 18ft. At the back of the shop is the printing office, a well-lighted, and well-ventilated and eminently healthy apartment. Here all the material and machinery connected with the typographical department are kept. Mr Avery is determined.ito keep up the gopd reputation he has hitherto held for good and efficient workmanship and is sparing no expense in the way of machinery and materials. Both shops are well lighted and ventilated, the space between the flooring and ceiling being twelve feet gives plenty of air space. The upper part of the building is set aside as offices access to which is gained by means of a staircase of very easy grade, the stairs being G feet in width. There is a swing door which has painted on it the names and professions of the occupiers of the offices. Mr T. Shailer Weston, Solicitor, is the first office. The rooms are papered in a light green, which is restful to the eye. The main office fronts the street, and is a large and airy room, with all the usual surroundings of a solicitor's office. The clerk's office, etc., are at the back. Further along the passage are rooms occupied by Mr H. F. Knight, dentist. The waiting room is furnished in a cheerful and tasteful manner ; a table in the centre being covered with books and newspapers, and interesting pictures hang on the walls ; all of which will keep the minds of the patients from dwelling on their pain while waiting their turn. Next to this room is the surgery which is fitted up with all the latest and improved appliancesf or painless dentistry. There is also an auxiliary operating room. The workroom is a long, well lighted and spacious apartment fitted with benches to accommodate three workmen at a time. All the appliances necessary for the mystery and craft of the dentist are here. There is also a special contrivance to carry off the superfluous gases- and the escape of steam _from"the vulcaniser. The building has gas and water laid on, and all modern necessities, lavatories, &c. The contractor for the erection of the building was Mr Geo. Cliff ; the painting and glazing being done by Mr Jas. Bellringer, and the plumbing by Mr E. Howell. All have done their work in a thorough and efficient manner. The building is estimated to cost £1133.