RESERVE BANK VAULTS

Evening Post, Volume CXVII, Issue 144, 20 June 1934, Page 10

RESERVE BANK VAULTS

ALTERATIONS AT D. F.I

STRONGROOM REINFORCING

The alteration of' the' basement and first floor" of ' the Dominion Mariners Building to suit, the requirements of tho Reserve. Bank'i S: .'boing , pushed ahoad^as rapidly as possible, -For tile first iew ; days -.the contractors; ■ .the -t Ipucher Construction" Company ■ maintained shifts- right1 round- the clock chiefly in cutting away .concrete construction in-the basement.' The work is still largely, an overtime, job/ but only a few men carry on all night, machine .drilling and breaking up coucrete- to. leave the, way: clear ,fov the rebuilders.uext morning. '■■ ,' , _ The conference, hall isjboing redesigned to. serve as 'the "main.banking chamber and the- office accommodation in this section of the ibuildirig ,is also being changed about for .its new purpose. ■, . ■■..'. >. ', ....-,

The heaviest. remodelling; work is in the basement, where gold, silver, . and notes will- be. stored.- , The basement lights, just above the .footpath level, arc being closed with a. sp'eeially reinforced concrete and', the. same system is being employed in'buildirig the'vault walls. . . I-.,...-. ...... " '

The steel is specially developed for strongroom reinforcing 'arid lias'not previously been used "in N^w Zealaud. The material 'reaches'the—job-as a heavy strip-bar, slotted deeply o_n ica'ch. edge. The bar iA twisted in a s"pocinl device so that the five-inch' steel'teeth face out at.- all- angles. ? Two lengths are laid, practically .touching,..arid . .are covered with a poiiving of cohcrete: more lengths are 'laid above them aiid more concrete-is poured,- an:d;so on.-The result, is discouragi^ig.,.to. wall, pickers. Vaujt , doors, steel wickets, etc.," .will be. in accordance with'the strength of the wall1 construction.- I.:'.'.:' .. ■■ ■