HEADQUARTERS OF T.A.B

Press, Volume LXXXIX, Issue 27224, 16 December 1953, Page 9

HEADQUARTERS OF T.A.B

Wellington Property Bought FORMERLY GRAND CENTRAL HOTEL (New Zealand Press Association) WELLINGTON, December 15. To provide adequate accommodation for its headquarters in Wellington, the, Totalisator Agency Board has bought the building in Cuba street formerly known as the Grand Central Hotel. The building will be immediately converted into offices for the board’s staff, and eventually the premises now occupied in Eva street will be vacated. The chairman of the board (Mr A. L. Matson) said tonight that for some time it had been found that, the building in Eva street was totally inadequate for the board’s needs. Its business was now firmly established throughout New Zealand, and it was necessary to have headquarters accommodation for collating the raceday work of agencies and branches and handling the general accounts of the board.

The price paid by the board for the Grand Central building is not disclosed. It was offered at auction earlier this year, but no bid was received. At that time the hotel was closed, and the furniture was later sold at auction.

The purchase by the Totalisator Agency Board has been made by private treaty, and as the hotel bas been closed for the greater part of this year there is no question of disturbing tenants. The vendor is the trustee of an estate. .