Town Improvements.

Taranaki Herald, Volume L, Issue 12647, 3 September 1904, Page 5

Town Improvements.

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Tho latest avkitticm to thf urrhitoitural features of Devon-street is a handsome block of buildings, erected foi- Mr T..0. kelsoy, on tho north side of the thoroiiolifa-v. almost opposite ■ Messrs He\vk.\ tnwl (irilliths* auction mart. Kueasod in brick walls, this two-storied block presents a striking appearance, and i* ample proof that the owner has piety u f faith in the future prosperity of the town. The block has a frontage of G*J feet to Devon-street, and is divided on the ground floor into f.mv shops each 14ft. 9ins. wide, 10ft. deep ami 14ft. high, ftt ted with deeply recessed plate j glass window .s. There is an ofliee at tho rear of etxh shop, having- an area of loft, x lift. Dins., and from these offices doors lead to an asphalted yard. Access to the back of the hlcck has been provided by a riq-ht-of-way from Liaivlet-street. All 'the shops are well lighted from front and back, and jibove each one is a laree show- room fOft. x lift, flins.. and II ft. high. Access to the upper stories is given by means of a handsome staircase from each shop. A well-built verandah extends along- the frontage,' metal skylights being- lot in the roof over the shop windows. Tho internal walls are all match lined and painted, and tho eoilinos are of ohanell lining painted. Tho divisional ■tvalis are deadened with P and B paper ixn-d sawdust. The facade ;s designed in tho Italian renaissance style, and painted and sanded. A sum of about CISOO was spent in erecting- and finhhinp- of? the block. To Mr 1-Vank Messenger was entrusted the architectural work, which he has executed well. Mr R. Coleman was tho contractor, and his part of the work has been carried out to the satisfaction of all. The -sub-eon tractr.rs wore .-—Bricklaying-, Mr W. Madder : plumbing, Messrs Smart Bos. ; painting, J. Bellringer's estate. The timber and joinery wei'e supplied by the Sash and Door Company. Mr Kelsoy must be complimented on his enterprise in erecting such a substantial, commodious, and handsome block of/ buildings'- \ •