An Enterprising Firm.

Taranaki Herald, Volume LIII, Issue 12955, 8 September 1905, Page 8

An Enterprising Firm.

In order to adequately cope with rapid extension of business-, Messrs Burgess, Fraser & Co., general merchants, of this town, have jrcst had erected for them at the corner of Currie and Gill-streets a commodious warehouse which is calculated to meet all requirements for some years to come. The building, three • storey high, is 70 feet long, 37 feet in width, and ()0 feet to the highest pinnacle. The main entrance from Carrie-street le|tds into a suite of conveniently arranged offices, which oecy,py oue-half the .area of the ground floor. There are -two private o&ces for the partners a manager's office and public office, the latter, "being of a size capable of accommodating a€ least a dozen clerks and "allowing plenty of room for the public to transact business. Ventilation and lighting is here a feature, all fittings are made from pifked polished rimu, and the ceilings and walls neatly finished with anaglypta wiJings, with moulded and decorated coinices suitably picked out. The back half of' the ground floor is for storage and loading purposes, a large loading 'dock, 20ft. by 20ft., having been constructed, with entrance from Gillstrset, to expedite this work. The dock will admit two large vehicles at one time, -and the general arrangements are surh as to be admirably suited to attain: the object lor which they were designed. The first storey is 14ft. high, the second ISffc.y and the third 7ft., the two latter being exclusively used for storing. An underground cellar occupies almost the whole area of the site. A very necessary convenience is a particularly strong hydraulic lift, installed at one side of the warehouse, and this is 6ft. square, and capable of carrying a ton from the cellar to the top floor. In the cellar is located a large stroug room ard all sanitary conveniences. The building is provided with electric light, throughout."

The- premises are built of Lrick and the wood-work in the interior is of the best- 'quality of rimu. The foundations are of concrete, carried to a depth of 20ft. on to a solid bed cf rock. The general design is Italian ; the brick is relieved in cement piaster.' the window heads are provided with heavy keystones and the plasters are channelled with a 'handsome cornice design running round the roof. The building has a I architectural effect, and is v *be beat and most up-to-date of its kind in this part of the Island. .Mr J. Sanderson was the architect, Mr J. Morris builder, Mr Griffiths plumber, Mr McConnell the painter, and McCr ■>.-<- kie and Son (engineers' of Auckland) were the contractors for the J.'ft.