TOWN IMPROVEMENTS.

Taranaki Herald, Volume XLIII, Issue 10108, 14 September 1894, Page 2

TOWN IMPROVEMENTS.

« MR. W. BAYLY'S CENTRAL PREMISES. Tuat Mr W. Bayly has faith in the prospects of New Plymouth from a business standpoint is amply evidenced by his enterpriso in having erected the handsome bl«ck of buildings at the corner o£ Dovon and Egmont-streets, which are now on the point of completion. Tho block, which is known as the Central I Premises, has cost about £2,300. It has a frontago to Devon-street of 41 feet, and 106 feot to Egmont-streot, with an elevation of 40 feet to the parapet that surmounts tne structure. The block on tho ground floor is divided into three shops, I two of which front Devon-street and the other Devon and Egmont-streets ; a large billiard-room, and several other divisions fronting Egmont-strcet, which have been leased by Mr C. Arscott, late of Melbourne, for a Coffee Palace. The whole of the top floor, comprising 28 rooms, will also be utilised by Mr Arscott in connection with his business. Entering from Egmont-street the visitor finds himself, after passing through swing doors, plate glassed, in a passage 10ft by 41ft. On the left of tho passage is the Coffee Palace dining room, which has also an entrance to Egmout-street, swing doors similar to tho others boing also placed inside the main door. This room is 41 by 20, and 14ft high, and is match lined with stained and varnished dado, and panolled ceiling. To the left of the dining room is a commercial and smoking room 24 by IG, and fitted with a register grate. The kitchen, 1G by 1G feet which is also to the left, is fitted up with a high presuro range capablo of cooking for 150 persons. A hot water service is also laid on from tho 7-ango to the upper storey. Outside the kitchen door are a wash house, coal shed, and scullery. On the right of the dining room arc the storeroom, lavatory, and offices, the last named being connected with the main sewer of the town. Coming again into the main passage the visitor asends to the top floor by means of a staircase of 28 steps, which is set off by a handsomo balustrade, designed by Mr Sanderson, and which is said to be the only one of its kind in tho district. Tho room 3on the top floor are separated by two long passages. In addition to the twonty-three bedrooms, there are two bath-rooms, with zinc-lined floors, which aro fitted up with hot arid cold water sorvicos and shower; a lavatory ladies' tea room, a commodious parlour overlooking Devon and Egmont-streets, and linen press. The bedrooms are commodious and lofty, and fitted up in a manner that speaks volumes for tho enterpriso of Mr Arscott, the proprietor. The central rooms, those between tho two passages, are lighted and ventilated from skylights in the roof. Descending again to tho lower floor, the visitor observes that a verandah runs right round both frontages. Tho cornor shop, which is GOft. x 20ffc. and 14ft. high, has a grand entranco supported by two large cast iron columns. The whole of the Devon-street and throe-fourths of the Egmont-street frontage has plate glass windows. This shop is 1 not yet leased. The other two shops, 18ft x 10ft. each, are leased by Mr F. J. Jury, who has also a chess room 14ftx 12ft., and billiardroom, 32ft. x 20ft. at the back. The bj.!liard-room is well lighted and ventilated. On the whole tho Central Promises aro an architectural addition to the town and a credit to tho enterprise of tho owner, Mr Bayly. Mr Sanderson was tho aichitcct, and for the design that gentleman deserves a meod of praise. Mr R. N. Hooker, the contractor, has carried out his work to the utmost satisfaction of Mr Bayly and Mr Sandoitson, the former gentleman expressing to the representative of this paper that ho was thoroughly satisfied with tho way Mr Hooker had done his work. Tho masonry (tho building being built on concrete) nnd plumbing was dono under My Hooker's direction ; the pajntjng, glazing, etc., was carried out by Messrs Okoys, Arnold & Earp; and tho decora tivo painting by Mr C, Hooker. All the timber and joinery work, etc., was turned out by tho Sash it Door Factory. Tho framing and boarding aro of l-imu, and tho floors and ceilings are matai. Tha premises are ko far completed as to enable Mr Ar-icott to start business on Saturday.