LT Watkins letter 24 June 1942 acknowledging earthquake.
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L.T. WATKINS LTD.
Printers and Bookbinders
DIRECT MAIL SPECIALISTS
P.O BOX 77
TE ARO
PHONE 55-323
THREE LINES
176-186 CUBA ST.,
Wellington,
N.Z.
July 8th, 1942
The City Engineer,
Wellington City Council Office
WELLINGTON.
Dear Sir
We received this day your letter relative to earth-
quake damage to these premises.
We have already had a visit by your inspector
accompanied by Mr. W. E. Lavelle, the architext, and I understand
these gentlemen arranged matters respecting the repair of damages
to their mutual satisfation.
I have left the matter in their hands, our loss in
this instance is taken care of by insurance, and Mr. Lavelle is
acting for the insurance company.
Yours faithfully,
L.T. Watkins LTD.,
LT Watkins letter 24 June 1942 acknowledging earthquake.
Like many edifices in Wellington, L.T. Watkins' purpose-built printing and stationery business was damaged in the 24 June 1942 earthquake. The existing parapets were considered dangerous, and horizontal as well as vertical cracks in the building meant the firm had to undertake significant structural upgrading. The parapets were removed and replaced with reinforced concrete; steel frames had to be inserted into the showroom windows. This correspondence, acknowledging the City Engineer's report, is written on one version of Watkins's printed letterhead. Such letterheads are a fascinating way of tracking a firm's response to technological change and how they market their skills in the public, and for Wellington, the increasingly competitive print arena.