THE BANK OF NEW SOUTH WALES.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XIX, Issue 6296, 21 January 1882, Page 5

THE BANK OF NEW SOUTH WALES.

THE NEW BANKING PREMISES, QUEEN-STREET. As stated by as. in a paragraph the other day, the authorities of the Bank of New South Wales have at last determined to commence the erection of their new banking premises on the section of land purchased by them some time back, adjacent to the Hkkald publishing office. Considerable improvements, in the way of new buildings, ha»o been made of late years in that portion of Queen-street, and the new banking premises will prove an acceptable addition in that direction. The allotment has a frontage of 39 feet 6 inches to Queen-street, with a depth of 100 feet. The bank will havo a front of 34 feet G inches, the balance of the ground being utilised as a side-passage between the Herald office and the banking premises. The building, according to the plans, will be three storeyed, and 53 feet high. The front will be of Oamaru stone standing on a bluestone plinth, 4 feet high, of ornamental design. The ground - floor is 21 feet high to the cornice from the footpath ; the stonework formed in ashlar, with sunk joints. There are two large wiudows lighting the bauking room, each 12 x S, the entrance door being on the north side. These three openings are circular - headed, with bold ornamental architraves round the heads, tliese latter heing supported on polished granite columns. The second storey is divided from the third by an ornamental cornice of enriched design, with a considerable amount of curving thereon. This cornice is supported by six fluted Corinthian columns, with the usual enriched Corinthian caps. The top of the building is finished with enriched cornice and balustrade. The whole facade will be of an imposing and elegant character, and superior to any hitherto erected in Queenstreet. The cntrnnce to the passage, between the banking premises and the Hkkald office, is protected by an archway, formed of Oamaru stone, havingan ornamental cast-iron gate. The ground floor consists of the banking chamber, 31 feet .square. It is 19 feet high from floor to ceiling, this latter being composed of deep panel work, and whole carved with deep enrichments. The strongroom is in the centre of the building, imme- : diately behiud the banking chamber. It is I 10 feet square, being arched over with strong iron girders. The manager's room is situated at the back of the main building, and ia 17 feet square. There are also the requisite storerooms for stationery and other banking purposes. At the back of the main building, in the yard, are the necessary outbuildings all provided —namely, kitchen, scullery, and the various lavatories, &c. There are two staircases from the ground floor, the main staircase being of an ornamental character, with bold cedar handrails supported on an ornamental cast iron balustrade. The other staircase fro.n thekitchen leading to the top storey of the building is so arranr,ijd a3 to enclose a lift thus enabling everything to be conveniently taken from that portion to the sccond and ;hird storeys. The second storey of the juilding is divided into drawing-room 19 x 17, dining-room 21 x 16, and sittingroom 12 x 17, with two other rooms of smaller dimensions. The hall at the top of ;he landing is 14 x 16 ; there is also on this loor and over backbuililiug th - servants' bed•ooms. The third storey is divided into large )ed-rooms, together with a bath-room and avatory, water being laid on throughout the milding. The whole of the iuterior fittings ;hroughout the premises are of cedar, but ;he bank counters and other fittings in ihe banking chamber are not in the present iontract, still we have no doubt these latter ivill be in harmony with the palatial style of ihe building. The plans have been prepared 3y Mr. W. B. Armson, of Christchuroh, aud 1 Sir. Philcox's tender has been accepted. We understand that the plans and specifications have been handed over to Mr. Edward Bartley, of this city, under whose supervision the new banking premises will 1 je erected.