A GISBORNE FIRM’S ENTERPRISE.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVII, Issue 2611, 20 September 1909, Page 3

A GISBORNE FIRM’S ENTERPRISE.

IMPROVEMENTS AT V. I'ETTIE AND CU. 3.

A feature of that portion of Gladstone ii.,acl tiiat mils near the Post Office is the shop premises of Messrs. AV. Fettie and bo. s which have just been enlarged. It is only two months since the improvements were started and already the shop front and interior iiave boon changed beyond recognition, and tiie place presents an attractive and up-to-date appearance that would do credit to a large city. Large show windows have been built, and the whole front is painted in white enamel with rouge marble from the sills to tile ground. The doors have new art panels of plate glass and oxidised bronze fittings, wnile a stained glass fanlight decorates the main entrance. The old verandah too has been pulled down, and in its place is a new structure supported by fluted iron posts in green and yellow colors. The verandah, roof, which is enamelled white on the under side, is so curved as to enhance the lighting of the show-windows. In front of the verandah is to be affixed the firm’s sign-board in gold and plateglass lettering which is now on its way irom Wellington. The lighting of the windows for evening display is admirably provided for by three powerful Graetzin incanclesceiitigas lamps suspended under the verandah, and two smal.er lamps m the entrances. These are the latest thing in gas lights, and have been fixed under supervision of the Gisborne Gas Company’s manager, Air. Hoare. The interior of the shop is also well lighted, and catseye glass at the top of the showwindows, and prismatic skylights ensure the counters being shown to advantage. On the ground floor the dress department lias been enlarged by fifty per cent, and a new nien : s outfitting room built. In it are to be seen tlic latest tilings in men’s wear, from a plain bowler nat, to the most passionate hue socks that ever delighted the heart of a Piccadilly Johnnie. The part of the downstairs shoo devoted to 'the wants of the fair sex is also well stocked with the most up-to-date “frillies” and laces and all that sort of thing. Under the new arrangement the office has been removed upstairs, where are also two large show-rooms, —one for carpets and floor-coverings, and the other ior hats, gowns, coats, etc. Tlic litter has been carpeted in green Tournay velvet at a. cost of over £93, and is a roomy, attractive show--room. In fact, the building can altogether boast 6459 square feet of floor space. The improvements altogether have cost something like £2OOO, and no pains have been spared to give Gisborne people as good articles as can be got in the bigger cities in the Dominion. The firm imports practically all its goods directly from London and Paris and cue can gain some idea of the extent of its business irom the fact that it deals with nearly a hundred different European houses. in order, to celebrate the completion of the improvements and attract the public to the new show windows, a sale of pretty things that are dear to the hearts of womankind started on Saturday, and will continue for a week. All goods in the windows will be marked down 20 per cent., ard it is expected that thero will be a rush to secure bargains. The week following the men will be given a turn, and the less gaudy, if equally useful garments of gender will be sold at reduced prices. A new thing in ladies’Lead gear, by the way, is the Victorian bonnet, which i s something between a “Gainsborough and a “Kate Greenaway.” The Merry AVidow” hat has had its day, and hats of mushroom type are fashionable. There are some elaborate samples m Messrs. Pottie’s showrooms, where an extensive choice of artificial flowers can be seen. Two new colors this season are Le Bois Joli— a sort of tawny port wine color —and' Prunells —an attractive shade somewhere between heliotrope and purple. Dust coats will be worn a crood deal, and linen coats are again coming in. A distance novelty is an embroidered muslin coat m openwoik pattern cut with semi -Empire effect, and long print* coats of similar shade in smart patterns will also be fashionThe contractor for the alterations was Air. J. Colley, Messrs Hall and •Mans heino- the sub-contractors 1 for the painting and plumbing. Messrs Brownlee and Grenfell were the architects.