The Fletcher Jones building was no exception. It has a number of items in storage/limbo, including this weather-vane. Interestingly the lower part of the stem is black-painted wood, not metal.
Unsure what these “boxes” were until I went down to the FJ Clearance Centre to see that each is the centre section of the free-standing display racks. I was unable to get any closer as they are surrounded by pink fluro paint indicating the presence of asbestos.
One of the pallet loads of electrical equipment in the Cutting Room.
These fans and light fittings have been removed from the Machine & Cutting rooms. There had been plans to have the Mill Market stalls operate from the Machine Room, so lots of fittings and ducting were taken out in preparation.
More light fittings, half-dismantled air-condition ducting & a water tank
The water tank is one of the rain collection devices (includes wheelie bins, sawdust piles) scattered through the site. As was evident on the drizzly day I was there, the roof is leaking to a variety of levels. Some of the flashing/gutters in the saw-tooth ridges are almost rusted out, in other sections, water is finding its way through the partially dismantled ducting. Pools of rain-water are lie on the board floors, drip down into the FJ shop, and leave stains and blistering paint on the walls.
The imprints of rain drops dripping into a pile of sawdust, it is following the outline of the ducting above.
The trapdoor in the Machine Room floor leading down into a shelved storage area. How, why? - escapes me.
This doorway leads into the further room, but the ceiling is only about 4,8”-5’ high - in line with the bottom of that brown partition – again I’m at a loss to work it out. Or did FJs employ 'Umpa Lumpas'?
This was taken through a dark doorway 90 degrees and a few feet away from the previous photo. It is a utilites space, but looking back towards that trapdoor area, so not basement level, maybe a result of the initial quarry area that the sub-floor is now on different levels
Signs 1. The main FJ sign (behind the tree, the full sign says Fletcher Jones & Staff. 2. The FJ roundel has been an advertising feature since the 1930s, there was one on a pillar of the concrete anchor fence and the Lava Street elevation of the sewing room, and a central tower built between the canteen and the cutting room (the location of Fletcher Jones’ office). The tower & signage above the first floor level has been removed. 3. An FJ slogan in the Pressing/Dry cleaning area “Quality above all”, and it was - FJ were famous for their mens suits and box-pleated skirts. 4. Maybe it was “No walkway” when the equipment filled the Machine Room, now it hangs above an empty space. 5. “Any person or persons riding on stacker hoist will be instantly dismissed” no three strikes and you’re out in those days. 6. The sign above a chute hole from the Machine Room to the floor below.
Signs 1. The main FJ sign (behind the tree, the full sign says Fletcher Jones & Staff. 2. The FJ roundel has been an advertising feature since the 1930s, there was one on a pillar of the concrete anchor fence and the Lava Street elevation of the sewing room, and a central tower built between the canteen and the cutting room (the location of Fletcher Jones’ office). The tower & signage above the first floor level has been removed. 3. An FJ slogan in the Pressing/Dry cleaning area “Quality above all”, and it was - FJ were famous for their mens suits and box-pleated skirts. 4. Maybe it was “No walkway” when the equipment filled the Machine Room, now it hangs above an empty space. 5. “Any person or persons riding on stacker hoist will be instantly dismissed” no three strikes and you’re out in those days. 6. The sign above a chute hole from the Machine Room to the floor below.
So endeth my visit to the Fletcher Jones site, it was an eye-opener. Again thanks to the Mill Market people for giving up their time to guide me round.
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