FIERCE BLAST

Otago Daily Times, Issue 24633, 14 June 1941, Page 10

FIERCE BLAST

BANK OF NEW ZEALAND DAMAGE BUT NO FIRE TRANSFER OF THE STAFF' (0;C.) ; LONDON. May 21. The Bank of New Zealand in Queen Victoria street Was narrowly missed by a high-eXplosive bomb during the raid on’ Saturday. May 10. A stick of small calibre bombs fell across the street, and one dug but a hole 10ft deep in, the pavement immediately outside ■ th.e window of the room of the manager. Mr D. F. Reid. A-blast.ripped the window frames to shreds arid scattered office equipment in all directions., Windows facing the Mansion House were broken and there was much damage and-disorder in the main hall, where counters stand on either side of the aisle leading to the lift. Fire watchers in the building assisted in putting out incendiaries that fell like hailstones near by. and fortunately the bank was. not set alight. Candles *nd Lanterns ■ The damage and disorder . : were so great, however, that it wasimpossible for the staff; to continue-working there, an d temporary- premises . have' been taken in the building of the Commonwealth Bank of Australia at 10. Old Jewry, a few minutes’ walk away. Throughout the Monday morning the staff carried on as best it could with business, while a straggling transfer was made.i-’Electric. light was cut off temporarily-in Old- Jewry, and the staff settled into .its hew offices by candle and lantern light. Fire watchers were. the ohly .people in the Bank of N,ew Zealand -.when the bomb fell, and none of-them, were injqfefiv > The building *, immediately next tb the bank was entirelv burned out, and it presents a sight that: is, all 'tod-common in London to-day—a mass of. twisted girders,, charred,beams; and of dvin ;brick rubbleJ > . Demolition Not Necessary . : V.The Mansion ’House caught the,;full blast of. the .bomb, which ...completely demolished' the tall windb’w of the famous Egyptian. Hall, scene of so manv brilliant'baritjuets. It was in this hall that the King and Queen met many New Zealanders on New Zealand Day. 1940 (February 6), in celebration of the Dominion’s Centenary. Many other windows in the Mansion House were also torn out by the force of the explosion, but no structural damage is apparent. St. Stephen’s Church, standriojg, behipd ; the 'Mansion House, was burned; '' ■ ; . It is unlikely that the Bank of New Zealand premises will have’to be demolished. Part of. the stone work has been smashed, and sections of the ceilings have fallen in; but repairs can be effected, and it should not be long before; the staff is able to return.