LONDON DAMAGE

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXVIII, Issue 23966, 16 May 1941, Page 8

LONDON DAMAGE

BANK OF NEW ZEALAND PREMISES VACATED STAFF REMAINS IN CITY (0.0.) WELLINGTON, Thursday The London branch of the Bank of Now Zealand suffered in the latest blitz over London, and tho premises have had to he vacated. One member of the staff was injured. The general manager of the bank, Mr. H. R. 11. Chalmers, has received the following cablegram from the London manager, Mr. D. F. Reid (formtf erly manager at Wellington): "Bomb dropped just outside my window, slightly penetrating the base of the building, although the structure is otherwise intact. Blast has rendered tho whole building untenantable for some considerable time and possibly for the duration of the war. We succeeded in preventing tho spread of the tire to us. Fire-watchers Basan and Simmonds (messenger) safe; Hayes suffering from blast." (These are members of | tho London staff of the Bank of New I Zealand.) "Have secured temporary j accommodation in tho Commonwealth j Bank building in Old Jewry." j Provision in Country The staff of the London branch of , the Bank of New Zealand on duty mini- j bored 52 and in addition eight are on military service. Provision for banking quarters outside London had been made by the Bank of New Zealand some time ago, j when premises were secured and fitted j for this purpose in Bickley, Kent. Here ; duplicates of all records were kept. The j general manager believes that the books j and records at the London branch will ! be intact, as the safe accommodation j was exceedingly strong. j

Although premises were provided outside the City of London, the bank's staff voluntarily elected to carry on in London until such time as circumstances should make it necessary to move to the country. "Site of the Bank

The Bank of New Zealand stands on the angle of Queen Victoria Street and Walbrook, the narrow thoroughfare between the Mansion House and the bank, and opposite are the Bank of England and the Royal Exchange. There was a pedestrian subway entrance at the Bank of New Zealand corner. It was used by crowds of people in order to avoid crossing roads at probably the busiest meeting of cross streets in the Empire, perhaps the world. The subway was destroyed by bombing.