BANK OF NEW ZEALAND

Opunake Times, Volume XXX, Issue 3120, 18 February 1927, Page 2

BANK OF NEW ZEALAND

NEW PREMISES A FINE BUILDING. In about a month’s lime the Opunake branch of the Bank of New Zealand will reopen its doors in a handsome brick and concrete build* ing on the site of the old bank demolished some time ago. During the past year the staff and public have had to make the best of the limited conveniences of the old church building in Domett Street, but this will all be changed with the opening of the new bank. The bank authorities are sparing do expense in seeing that the best of everything is installed, the require* ments of the public receiving special consideration.

Built of brick, with cavity walls, and nicely plastered, the new building will, when finished, present a fine appearance and will be a creditable addition to the office buildings of Opunake. It has a frontage of 38ft, a depth of 90ft and a 14ft stud. Concrete steps lead up to the mam entrance and a vestibule with swinging doors. Inside is a large pub.ic chamber 23ft by loft. On the right is the manager's room and facing the main entrance the teller' counter, the leger clerks’ desks bills counter will extend across the building. Behind is the strong room 11ft 6 inches by xoh, reinforced with three quarter inch iron rods—a stiong'room in every sense of the word, for every precaution has been taken to ensure that the room and safes are absolutely fire and burglar proof. Behind again is the stall o’fices with an entrance on the extreme right, A feature of the interior is the fibrous plaster ceiling made by Martin Bros., New Plymouth, and a fine sample the plasterer's art. The building will be lighted throughout by electricity and provision is made[for electric radiators The back portion of the building comprises the residential quarters consisting of three bedrooms, a sitting room, a breakfast room, a kitchen, sun porch, bath 00m, eic. The rooms are welt -lig /ted and fitted with recessed wardrobes and presses and the kitchen has all modern appointments ; indeed, all the rooms right back to the laundry are replete with up-to date appurtenances. The interior timber work is all in oiled rimu, a handsome and durable wood. The fireplaces are all lined with glazed bricks, giving a pleasing appearance Water is supplied by four 1000 gallon tanks, a hot water service being installed. At the back is a motor garage and other * offices. Mr T H. Bates of New Plymouth, is the architect, Messrs J. T Julian & Sons Ltd', the contractors, and Mr T. F. Maidens Clerk of toorks. Vil concerned are to be congratulated on their work.