BANK DOORS REFUSE TO OPEN

Dominion, Volume 30, Issue 255, 24 July 1937, Page 8 (Supplement)

BANK DOORS REFUSE TO OPEN

Sydney Incident For the first time in the record of the head office of the Commonwealth Bank, in Martin Place, Sydney, the giant steel hydraulically-operated doors would not open on a recent morning. At one minute to ten uniformed attendants inside the main bank'ng chamber calmly awaited the signal which would open the doors to another day of business.

The opening procedure is simple. A lever is pulled. That applies the water pressure. The door lifts slightly, permitting a lock to be released. The water pressure is then gradually relaxed and the door sinks into its underground recess.

The signal was given, and the attendants pulled the requisite levers. Nothing happened. Another pull was given. A hurried whisper went round the great chamber, “The water pressure is not on. The doors will not open.”

At five minutes past 10 the Martin Place door operated. The main Pitt Street door, however, remained closed. In spite of frantic lever-pulling and whispered consultations between attendants and sub-managers. An officer was placed outside the closed door to direct customers to Ute other entrances;