ARCHITECTURAL ASSET TO MARTON

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 85, Issue 33, 8 February 1941, Page 2

ARCHITECTURAL ASSET TO MARTON

THE BUILDING DESCRIBED The new buildings were designed by Messrs. R. and W. ThorroldJaggard, Architects and Structural Engineers, of Palmerston North, and embody the latest principles of construction, combined with a well planned lay-out and artistic finish. The front of the main building facing Broadway presents a very imposing appearance, being finished with polished Terrazzo up to the level of the plate glass windows. The upper portion of the front is finished in rich cream Craftex Plaster, relieved by fluted bands in dark brown. The foundations, piers, and beams are concrete, heavily reinforced with steel, and are all joined together to form a self-supporting reinforced concrete frame. The intervening panels being built up in brickwork which are also reinforced with steel. The front portion of the main block is a two-storey building, the ground floor having a spacious display room occupying approximately two-thirds of the frontage, with offices adjoining to accommodate the Produce Manager, Mr. Broad, and his staff. A wide stairway with the steps compl.V.ely covered with pastel blue rubber, leads from the display room to the offices upstairs. At the upper landing is a large plate glass door leading to the main office, a room 40ft. x 26ft., which occupies the centre portion of the office block. A maximum of light and ventilation is obtained by the use of steel windows located on the two main walls.

A bright room adjoining the main office on the south-west corner, is the office of the Marton Manager, Mr. B. Cochran. On the opposite side of the main office are three smaller rooms, one of which accommodates the automatic book-keeping machine. The centre room is the strong-room, and the third for cloaks.

All offices are equipped with gas or electric heaters, ample lighting and ventilation, and are undoubtedly the best equipped offices in Marton.

The large store at the rear of the office block is a single storey building with 2700 square feet of floor space. Two large doors op’n to the main right-of-way, and one opens to the back yard. This store will be used for stocking seeds, heavy hardware, farm implements, and spare parts. A detached building in the backyard, similar in construction to the main block, is for storage of oils, benzine, fertiliser, and other goods. Part of the floor of this building is constructed of Australian hardwood, the remainder of the floor and the loading ramp being of solid concrete.

The main contract was carried out by the Marton firm of T. J. Mcllwaine, assisted by the following sub-contractors: Messrs. Todd’s Plumbing Works, who provided all plumbing and gas fittings; A. L. Williams, Electrician; H. P. Coleman, Plasterer; S. Hunt, Bricklayer; Harvey and Calkin, Painters.