Department Store
pp. 47-48 · Read in the full issue
Noumea’s Modern Department Store
A LTHOUGH a great deal has been done to modernise Noumea, capital of New Caledonia, in recent years, the old pioneer type of construction still pre dominates, even in the town proper. In this setting, therefore, visitors are struck by the recently completed modern depart ment store of Ventrillon & Cie, with the adjacent premises soon to be occupied by the Ed. Pentecost organisation, at the comer of Noumea’s two main streets, Rue Georges Clemenceau and Rue de I’Alma.
Plans for the building were prepared by Australian architects and consulting en gineers in 1945, the old Ventrillon build ing was dismantled in 1946 and work commenced on the new store in early 1947. The larger corner section was finished earlier this year.
As Noumea is built on reclaimed land, finding a firm foundation for the 300 piles, and keeping the water level down
was a big problem. Pile-driving and pouring of the foundations upon which the heavy steel structure was to rest, took months. The project was begun at a time when shortage of materials for all building was at its most acute. Robert Gillespie Pty., Ltd., of Sydney, undertook the diffi cult job of procuring materials or of having them manufactured, not only for the store itself but for its fittings and furniture. They also recruited suitable Australian tradesmen and sent them to Noumea to undertake the different phases of the work.
Today, Ventrillon & Cie greet their customers with a large and imposing corner entrance and, once inside, that same customer feels that he has entered a large city department store. The island’s excellent timbers have been used cleverly in cabinet work, and display cases show the merchandise to advantage.
The first floor is devoted to women’s needs and to a beauty salon, the second floor is a store room; administrative offices are on the third floor, set back from the building line to allow for a
balcony. A caretaker’s flat is also on this floor. A lift serves all floors.
The section which will be occupied bv the Ed Pentecost organisation has its entrance on the Rue de I’Alma and this portion of the building will be served bv a separate lift. There will be a fancy goods and stationery department on the ground floor with extensive provision for the dis play of periodicals and books; the first floor will be partly storerooms but with some space to let; second floor will be administrative and the third floor will comprise three large flats each fronting the balcony and with views over the town and harbour.
Mr. and Mrs. O. L. Speck of the Seventh Day Adventist Mission, New Guinea with their two young daughters, are at present on leave in Western Australia.
Mr. A. J. Tattersal of Apia, W. Samoa, recently returned to the Territory after a prolonged health trip to New Zealand. It is said that Mr. Tattersal’s name is known in all corners of the globe—all tourists and all US Servicemen stationed in Samoa during the war, have bought his photographs.
The old building in 1945.
And Ventrillon and Cie’s Corner, 1950.
A daughter (Annette), was born to Mr. and Mrs. Peter Wichman, in South Dunedin, N.Z., on October 22. The Wichmans are now living at 265 King Edward Street, in that city, but formerly they were residents of Rarotonga, Cook Islands. Mrs. Wichman was Miss Dorothy Price.
Messrs. L. and A. E. Noerr, who have run the Regal Theatre, Suva, Fiji, for the past 20 years retired from business at the end of October. Management has been taken over by Mr James Crawford and Mr. T. P. Mulelly, who in recent years have interested themselves in stage pro ductions in Suva.