City Improvements.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 5256, 11 May 1895, Page 8

City Improvements.

DUNSTABLE HOUSE.

To-day Messrs Ballantyne and Co. open the additions whioh have lately been made to their premises, whioh aro now probably the flneßt and moat commodious of the kind in the colony. Before giving a description of the premises it may be as well to say a few words about the progress whioh Dunstable House has made since its establishment in an unpretentious way by Mrs D. Clarkson in 1854, as the then leading millinery emporium in the infant city of Christchuroh. Soon after its establishment it developed into a general drapery business, and in 1864 wbb Bold to Mr W. Pratt, who had previously been a storekeeper in Lyttelton end Nelson. After managing the establishment with great success for about eight years, and having considerably added to the premises, Mr Pratt retired in favour of Mr John Ballantyne in 1872, and during the . next seven years tho bueinssa assumed still greater proportions, keeping pace with the growth of the Cathedral City. Dressmaking, tailoring and mantlemaking were added to the other departments. In 1879 Mr Ballantyne disposed of his interest to the present proprietors, who have year by year kept pace with the demands of the increasing population and abreast of the prevailing fashions, direot steam communication- with the European markets having enabled them to be very little behind London and Paris fashions. It will thus be seen that the busineßS has had an uninterrupted run of prosperity for over forty years.

The constant additions of fresh departments necessitating still more accommodation, the firm decided upon further extending their premises, and, having acquired half-an-acre of ground to the westward of their old shop, Mr E. W. England, jun., was entrusted with the preparation of plana for a new building. At the same time it was found necessary to make considerable alterations in the original premises. The work of erecting the additions was carried out by Messrs D. Scott and Son, who have finished their work in a month less than the contract time, to the satisfaction of both Messrs Ballantyne and Ob. and the architect.

' The premises. now present a handsome three-story front to Cashol Street of 137 feat, with a curved glass verandah along the whole length, and have a depth of 250 feet, while the additions ere carried ont in the same style bb the old front, bein-; of Oamaru Totara tree stone. The first doorway leada into the men's clothing and outfitting department, which is 100 feet long by SO feet broad, and is lighted directly from the roof ; at the rear of this are two private offices, aud behind these a well-lighted, general office 40 feet by 30 feet. The next department io the general drapery and dresu branch, which can be entered from the street, and also communicatee by an arch with the clothing shop. It has a depth of 166 feet by a width of 40 feet, and ia also lighted from the roof. Behind it is a novelty in the abape of a dark room for the {rarpose of judging evening shades by gasighfc, An archway leads into tha new house-furnishing showroom, which is 120 feet by 34 feat, and contains a plate glass window, unbroken by a doorway, for the display of goods necessary to the household. Thia room has a ceiling light running nearly the whole length, and should admirably suit the purpose for which it has been designed. from here a door leads into a taßtefully decorated tea-room, which is under the management of Mr Gill, who hap aleo taken the shop in front of it. Massive Swing glass doors lead from the furnishing showroom into a ladies' showroom in the rear— l3o feet by 34 feet. Thia room has ceiling lights running tbe entire length, and is also lighted by windows at the back. It is divided into three bays, the first of which is devoted to tbe display of ladies' mantles and jackets, the second to millinery, a*id the third to underclothing. Let into the walls are massive plate-glass mirrors, and great taste has been displayed in the fittings and arrangements. Connected with this department Is a handsomely - furnished waiting-room tot ladies, as well as fitting-rooms and lavatories, the latter containing tiled floors and dadoes, and being fitted up in a lavish manner with all the latest improvements. At the rear of ' the tea-room is a floorcloth show-room 40 feet by 35 feet and a packingroom, with an entrance from Lichfield Street and a covered way under which conveyances can be loaded and unloaded. Farther to the westward ia another shop 60 feet by 17 feet. Underneath tbe drapery department is a cellar 40 feet by 40 feet for the storage of heavy goods, and, in addition to the rooms already -mentioned, • there are several smaller ones used in connection with the business. The whole of the ground floor is lighted by elecfcrioity, and in view of tho increased power required, Messrs Anderson Bros, are constructing a forfey-horte-power Cornish boiler and a vertical engine of the newest marine type, which ■will drive a 800-light Krnpp dynamo of the latest pattern. All departments on the groand floor are served by Lambson's oash railway system, connected with the cashier's office in the centre of the building:.

Ascending tha main staircase from the Centre, of the building the reserve stockroom ia reaohed, which is surrounded by fitting-rooms, in the rear of which are a mantlemsking-room 30 feet by 20 feet and a. dresemakingrroom 40 feet by SO feet. Above the clothing department is a readymade cutting and tailoring workroom, and in front of this are the gentlemen's fittingrooms and bespoke tailoring branch. Next to this is another dressmaking-room 40 feet by 30 feet, and further to the west a commodious bedstead showroom 67 feet by 80 feet oecnpies the whole of the new frontage, and is lighted by eight windows. Leading oat of this is a room 110 feet by 18 feet, which is. to be used for mattress and carpet-making. These rooms are all connected by archways.

A staircase leads from here to the top floor, and half-way up is a lavatory for the employes* In this part of the building, at the head of the staircase, is a dining-room

67 feet by 30 feet, lighted from both front and back. Adjoining thia to the eastward is the tailoresses' workroom, 60 feet by 30 feet} and connected with this again is the presacral* room, fitted with heating Btoveß, &o. Upon this flat, bnt in another building, are tha hat-making and mackintosh coat manufacturing departments.

Staircases are provided at each end of the 1 premises for the convenience of the employe's as well as for safety in case of fire, while the whole premises are fitted with si high-pressure water-service for fireprevention purposes. To supply the water power two deep wells have been sunk, and the- water is raised by thiea rams into tanks at the top of the building. To give some idea of the magnitude of the premises, it may be stated that there is a floor space of over 42,000 sqnare feet, and every department is connected by a system of speaking tubes. The firm has branob.es both at Timcru and in London, and altogether over four hundred hands are-employed. .. The lateßt additions are a decided improvement to the city, and the block of which they are a continuation has made a considerable alteration in the appearance of Cashel Street.

A Poptjlab Phbachbe. — Those who last year beard the eloquent addresaos delivered in Obrißtehuvoh by the Ber J. Anderson Gardiner, of the Bluff, Trill .be pleased to learn that he is about to revisit this city. He<will take part in the anniversary services and " sooial " in connection with St Andrew's Church next weak, and will also deliver a popular lecture on " Eobert Burns" on Monday, May 20. The Eev Anderfion Gardiner has been chosen as minister of Port Chalmers Presbyterian Ohnrob, and to-morrow he is to take a leading part at Knox Church, Dunedin, in a memorial service to the late Eev Dr Stuart. "Thb "SHQtrAH" Eemsdms.— -Sequah's Cure, Seanah's Oil, Sequah's Instant Belief may be obtained at T. Taylor's, Cashel Street, opposite the Cafe*. 6871 W. Stbanob an» Co.'b registered brand •* Excelsior" clothing for boys, youths and *aen — io cheapest and best.