Northern Whig, Wednesday 10th May 1933
MUNICIPAL SERVICE ONE OF THE BEST IN THE KINGDOM
Belfast Corporation’s go-ahead gas undertaking presented to the public yesterday further evidence of enterprise and progress when the Lady Mayoress (Lady McCullagh, C.B.E.) opened the new gas showroom in Queen Street.
Built on pleasing, modern lines, the new building, as stated by the Chairman of the Gas Committee (Councillor A. Hodgen, J.P.), who presided at the opening ceremony, contains approximately 5,000 square feet of floor space.
The design of the building was carried out by Mr. James D. Smith, M.Inst.C.E., Manager and Engineer of the Gas Department, who was complimented on his share in the project and on his management of the department.
There was a large attendance at the opening ceremony, which was held in the demonstration room.
Mr. Hodgen recalled that the original building on that site was erected by Belfast Gas Company in 1872, and became the property of the Corporation in 1874, being occupied by the collector and cashier’s staff. The business of the department increased so rapidly that in 1893 a fine range of workshops was erected behind the office. In 1907 the clerical staff were transferred to City Hall. Owing to the congested state of the workshops behind the old building the department decided to erect new workshops, offices and stores in Bankmore Street, and the outdoor department first occupied these in 1908. The old Gas Office on that site was then let out as offices to different firms, while the old workshops were used as a surplus store by the outdoor department.
OLD BUILDING DEMOLISHED
Last year it was decided to demolish the old building and erect in its place the present structure. The demolition was commenced in January, 1932, and in the following month the Pressure Piling Company began work. The building contractor, Mr. John Elliott, commenced operations immediately on completion of the piling in April, 1932, and by careful attention to the plans submitted by Mr. J. D. Smith produced the fine building, which was to be known as “Queen Street Showroom.”
It consisted of three floors, with approximately 5,000 square feet of floor space. The ground floor, approximately 1,7000 square feet, had been designed to give the maximum window display. The first floor would be known as the “Demonstration Room,” where seating accommodation had been provided for 150 persons. Cookery and other demonstrations would be given from time to time. All the different and latest types of gas cookers were on view. The second floor was given over to all types of bathroom geysers, water heaters, refrigerators, globes, and pendants.
WINTER FLOODLIGHTING
Two gas flood lamps had been erected in Queen Street with the intention of flood-lighting the building in winter.
Mr. Hodgen remarked that at present there were in use 94,023 gas appliances. This total was made up of 46,352 cookers, 44,804 fires, 2,651 water heaters, and 216 other appliances. In addition there were in use 41,500 cookers fitted in conjunction with auto meters. This made a total of 135,523 gas appliances at present in use, and gave an idea of the enormous strides this department had made during the last few years.
ASSET TO THE CITY: LADY MAYORESS’S PLEASURE
Appreciation at being requested to perform the opening ceremony was expressed by the Lady Mayoress, who said that the showroom, the gas arrangements it contained, and the demonstration facilities it provided would be a great asset to the city. “I don’t think we shall have any more complaints about indigestion and about people being ill from it,” added the Lady Mayoress smilingly. “I have some knowledge of gas cookers, which I think are one of the finest helps a housewife can have. These cookers on view here represent the latest improvements.”
Amid applause she declared the showroom open.
The main contractor, Mr. John Elliott, presented to the Lady Mayoress a souvenir gold key, manufactured by Messrs. Sharman D. Neill, Ltd., Donegall Place, Belfast, for which the Lady Mayoress returned thanks.
A vote of thanks to the Lady Mayoress was proposed by Councillor H. Armstrong, vice-chairman of the Gas Committee, who complimented the builder on having carried out his work faithfully and well.
Alderman Dr. J. D. Williamson, chairman of the Public Health Committee, seconding the vote of thanks to the Lady Mayoress, remarked that he could hardly say too much regarding what she had done on behalf of the city.
Alderman Williamson referred to the capability and energy of Mr. Smith, the engineer and manager of the gas undertaking, to whom, he said, was due much of the success of the concern, which was second to none in the kingdom.
COMPLIMENTS TO MR. HODGEN AND MR. SMITH
Proposing a vote of thanks to the chairman, the High Sheriff (Councillor Lieut. Commander R. M. Harcourt) referred to Mr. Hodgen’s service on the Corporation, and said he had the confidence of every member. Commander Hardcourt recalled that in addition to Mr. Hodgen’s services on the Gas Committee he had previously served for six years, with conspicuous success, as chairman of the Public Parks and Playgrounds Committee.
Sir William Turner, seconding, congratulated the Gas Committee of the way they conducted that great undertaking. He congratulated Mr. Hodgen on the fact that the Gas Committee were able to transact their business so expeditiously, and said that in Mr. Smith the city had one of the finest managers.
Mr. Hodgen briefly returned thanks, and paid a tribute to Mr. Smith’s work. On Mr. Hodgen’s proposition a vote of thanks to Mr. Smith was passed.
CHIEF PRAISES HIS STAFF
Mr. Smith, in reply, said it was really his staff who deserved the thanks. All the drawings were produced by the staff and all the gas services had been carried out by them. He had a good staff and they deserved thanks, and he looked upon those which had been accorded as behind directed, not to himself, but to his staff and his department.
Miss M. K. Gompertz, who is giving free cookery lectures with practical demonstrations in the showroom until May 19, was then introduced and lectured while afternoon tea was served.
SPLENDID SITE: BUILDING WITH A FINE FOUNDATION
The new gas showroom occupies a splendid site in Queen Street. The is the site of the old Raleigh House block of officers (adjoining the old Children’s Hospital), demolished to make room for the showroom.
A feature of the foundation was the employment of pressure piles, to ensure the most necessary building essential – sound foundation, with reinforced concrete surface foundation for the steel superstructure.
The ground floor story is an unbroken line of shop front with a deep wide central entrance, the sashes of the front being in stainless steel, with a neat leaded light design over the transom, and a dark emerald peal granite plinth. Down the pilasters to the front are fixed large stainless steel letters – gas, light, heat, power – which will be floodlighted in the winter season.
The floors throughout are of reinforced concrete, with oak woodblock flooring to finish.
The upper floors have a small raised stand around the wall for the showing of appliances, with gas points at intervals and built-in gas flues around the walls.
On the different floors have been set out all the latest up-to-date geysers, water heaters, circulators, &c.; cookers, fires, boiling rings, irons, refrigerators, lighting units, &c. Well-trained capable demonstrators are in attendance to instruct customers and users in the working, care, and maintenance of the different appliances.
FREE COOKERY LECTURES
An added incentive to visit the new gas showroom is the programme of free cookery lectures, with practical demonstrations, to be given there at 3 p.m. and 7.30 p.m. daily, excepting Saturday, until May 19, by Miss M. K. Gompertz, M.C.A. (of Messrs. R. & A. Main, Ltd.).
Miss Gompertz, who was introduced yesterday as “an expert in the science of cookery,” will give advice regarding the use of gas for cooking.
Here is her programme:- Wednesday (today) – Luncheon dishes (afternoon); a simple dinner, and vegetables cooked entirely in the oven (evening). Thursday – Puddings, cold meat cookery. Friday – Breakfast dishes, cakes. Monday – A dinner and vegetables cooked entirely in the oven, puddings. Tuesday – Cakes, a lunch (using only the griller). Wednesday – Savouries, supper dishes. Thursday – A dinner and vegetables cooked entirely in the oven, dishes for tea. Friday (May 19) – Rough pastry, cakes.
MESSRS. JOHN ELLIOTT
How well the main contractor, Mr. John Elliott, Hillsborough Drive, Belfast, has carried out his work is demonstrated by the compliment paid to him by Mr. Hodgen at the opening ceremony, on producing “this fine building.”
WM. H. BOWMAN & CO.
On the painting and decorating the new building depends greatly for its striking and apt effect. This work has been tastefully and skilfully carried out by Messrs. Wm. J. Bowman & Co., 7, Belmont Road, Strandtown.
JOHN ANDREWS & SONS
Naturally special attention has been paid to the shop front, this part of the work being entrusted to Messrs. John Andrews & Sons, 40 Kent Street, Belfast, who have given entire satisfaction.
JOHN MCLEAN & SONS.
The electric automatic lift was made and installed by the well-known local firm of Messrs. John McLean & Sons, 76, Grosvenor Road, Belfast, who have erected more than 400 lifts in Belfast and district.
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