THE BANK OF NEW ZEALAND.

North Otago Times, Volume IV, Issue 77, 10 August 1865, Page 2

THE BANK OF NEW ZEALAND.

This edifice, one of the best, if nob the very beat of ita kind, yet erected in Oamaru, has now been fully completed. On Monday last the business of the Bank was removed fiom the old premises to the new building, and Mr "Locke, the agent, to inaugurate the opening dny, provided a supply of champagne for the custoirers of the bank on that occasion. The following is a description of this handsome new building : — It stands immediately in front of the premises occupied recently by the Bank iu Tyne-street, nnd commands a charming view of the port and surrounding scenery, while it is bituated in the best part of the town, and in every way convenient for business people. The building is two storeys in height, and presents a most substantial and imposing appeaianco. The style of architecture may be described as uppro.icliing the Italian, being a combination of the Rustic style with that of the Florentine Italian, and full justice has in every way been done to all details, tho now favorite Oamaru freestone gieatly enhancing the effect from an exteiior point of view. The lower storey is chiefly notable for the extent of the rusticated work, the second or top atot ey having only the corners ornamented in th.it manner. In the fiisfc course every stone is the entile thickness of the wall, and iu the second every alternate stone is of this thickness. The base course is in one height with everv alternate stone the entue thickness, the sttetcheis in tlneequarter bond, the walls above the base being cairied up iu the same style. The two stones make up the whole thickness of the wall, without packing of any sort. The front and two ends of the building are rubbedfaced; the quoins, doors, window-dressings, and rusticated work being rock-faced with tooled margins, producing a massive yet elegant appearance. The porch over the front entrance comports well with the building itself, being flat-topped, with heavy cornicing, and adorned with rusticated work m the stylo before mentioned. Immediately above the cornice, which runs in a line with the cornicing extending over the f 1 ont and sides of the whole building, is the woid "Bank," carved in relief. Under the projecting roof of the structure, which is supported and ornamented thioughout by stone biacketing, the words " Bank of New Zealand" are carved in a similar manner. The chimney caps, cornices, keystones, base mouldings, &c, are remarkably well-finished, and add greatly to the general appearance of the building. In the interior, the same excellent workmanship everywhere predominates. Entering by the deep massive porch, we come to the Teller's Room, 27 ft. G in. x 18 ft. The fittings, &c, of this apartment, and throughout generally, are got up iu the very beat style. The frame-work of the desks and counter is made of \i ellseasoned and finely grained red pine. The desk screens aie -framed, panelled, and moulded, with a base nine inches high, and capped ballusters of twelve inches'-the whole being finished at a height of 6 feet from the floor. The counter, desks, kc, are Fieneh polished, and the beautiful grain of our native red pine is brought out to perfection. From the Tellei's Room, access is obtained to the "Strong Room" and Vouchers' Room, the interior of both of which places are of course formed of solid masonry. Tho door of the Strong Room is a very massive one, and has been manufactured on the most approved piinciples. By a door at the east end of the building, arched after tho same fashion as tho other dooi s and windows, the lobby aud staircase are approached, at the foot of which are doors communicating with the Managei 's Room to the front (18 x 14 ft.) and the parlour to the back. The parlour measures 16 x 14 ft. To the left of this apartment, and separated by the passage leading to the back door of the premises, are the kitchen (16 x 13 ft.), servants' room (8x8 ft.), and scullery, of like dimensions. The btaircase, fitted with balluslers, is constructed on tho self-supporting principle, and leads on to a very commodious landing. The accommodation on this, the second floor, cqnsists of three bedrooms to the front, measuring respectively 18 ft. 3 in. x 14 ft. 6 in., 13 ft. 9 in. x 12 ft. 3 in., and 18 ft. 6 in. x 15 ft. ; and ono bedroom facing westward, measuring 14 ft. 6 in. x 7 ft. 9 in., — besides other conveniences. All the apartments, with the exception of the kitchen, are furnished with beautifully enamelled slate chimneypieces, and stoves aie provided for all the fire-places. The kitchen is supplied with a largo r*nge, munufnetuied with all the new and most useful impioveinents. Handsome cornicing adds considerably to the appearance of the Banking Hall, Manager's Room, and pailour, and the whole of the windows in the fiont and ends of the building are glazed in two sashes each, with the beit British plate glass. Over all, the roof is covered with Countess slates, of the best description. The building throughout is built and finished in tho most substantial manner, and certainly forms one of the most attractive features in the township. The architects are Messrs Mason and Clayton, of Duncdin. Mr AI, Grenfeli is the contractor, and Mr Matthews has officiated as clerk of woiks. The cost has been upwards of L2000, but we should imagine, judging from the very superior style in which the work has been executed, that the contract cannot have been a profitable one.

The following important notice has been issued by the Harbor Department at Hokitikj, for the guidance of shipping frequenting that port: — "Harbor Department. Notice.- There will be an anchor and chain, with line attached, on the South Spit, with boat and boat's crew in readiness, at high water, every tide, to assist any vessel coming over the bar. When the bar is only fit for steamers to take, a. red flag will be hoisted on the north flagstaff. When for sailing vessels, a red flag and ball. Masters of vessels are particularly roquehted to attend to the small tidal flag on the Spit ; as the small tidal fl.ig and the large flng in one takes them over the bar.— By order, J. Kkhlky, Harbor Maiter. July 19, 1865."