THE BANK OF NEW SOUTH WALES.

Taranaki Herald, Volume XXXI, Issue 4450, 19 September 1883, Page 2

THE BANK OF NEW SOUTH WALES.

NEW 'BANKING HOUSE,

A building of a decidedly pleasing and dignified appearance, although perhaps not distinguished for its costly or elaborate architecture, has been erected for the Bank of New South Wales at the corner of Devon and Currie-streets. The bankinghouse f ronts Devon-street, and the entrance to the manager's 'private residenco is in Currie-street. The internal arrangements of the building are most satisfactory, the various apartments being spacious, fitted with every comfort and convenience, and well finished. The building, which is constructed of wood (kauri), with galvanized iron roof, consists of two atorys, the whole of the upper story and a portion of the lower forming the manager's residence. At the entrance to the Bank there is a porch vestibule, with a pair of mahogany plate glass doors opening into the bank chamber (25ft. by 20ft. Gin). ,The teller's counter, ledger-keeper's desk, and accounts desks are made of rimu — ■ f rench polished— and haying lettered brass plates. These fittings have a rich and substantial appearance. The walls are plastered, and coloured a French grey, the height of the ceiling being 14 feet. The ceiling is white, having a neat cornice 3ft. 6in. in girth. The skirting and architraves are of kauri, the former being 16' inches and the latter 7 inches. There is a fire-place in the accountant's apartment. The space in the chamber for the convenience of customers is ample for the requirements of a large business. The room is lighted by four lurge circular-headed windows, and there are four standard gas-lights with globes. The manager's room (15ft. 6in. x 15ft.) is situated on the left of the bank chamber, and has a bright and cheerful aspect. The walls and ceiling are coloured similar to the bank chamber, the cornice being 21in. in girth. ' There is an enamelled slate chimrey-piece and register grate, and in the centre of the room is suspended a handsome two-light gas pendant. Three doors open into this rroofm — f rom the private residence, the clerks' department, and the portion of the chamber reserved for the public. At the rear of the bank chamber there is a strong room (14ft. x 7ft. 6in.), having a massive Milner's patent fire proof door. It is divided into two compartments, one being set apart for the safe, and the other is intended as a receptacle for ledgers, books, etc. The strong ioo.a ?s biicked with 18-inch walls, the floor being of concrete 3 feet thick. A ventilator is fixed which is kept open by a cord in the passage outside, so contrived that if the cord were burned the ventilator would immediately ckne and the compartment would then be perfectly air tight. A passage runs from the side of the strong room to a tavatory (10ft. 6ip. x sft. 3in.), which is fitted with all the necessary appurtenances. There is also a stationery room oil the san?e dimensions as the lavatory. Access is guinea to the Manager's residence fro*n Currie-etreet, there being a pent e-ecied over the hall door. The entrance hall (15ft. 6in. x 10ft.), communicates with a handsome diningroom (15ft. 6in. x 15ft.), in which are two elegant side-boards, handsome fireplace, and sliding door. A passage runs off the < entrance hall, giving access to a china closet, store-room, and larder, also a kitchen (18ft. x 13ft.), in which is fixed a large Leamington range and necessary culinary requisites. The scullery (10ft. x Bft.) adjoins the kitchen, and contains copper sink, &c. There is also a wood shed, yard with co acre te floor, and out- offices. The upper story is reached by means of a substantial staircase from the main hall, and terminates in a spacious landing (24ft. x 10ft.), having an ornamental arch over the centre. On the left pf the landing is a bedroom (15ft. 6in. x 6ft.), having an enamelled slate chimney piece, bell, and one of ArnoU's patent bronze-faced ventilato.'s in tbe chimney breast. Indeed, in every chimrey breast throughout the building there is fixed one of these ventilators, and they afford excellent means of ventilation. A dressing room (15ft. x 9ft.) adjoins the bedroo ji, and a pleasant view of the sea is obtained from it. The next room is a drawing-room (20ft. 6in.xlsft.6in.) This is an elegant apartment, containing a three light chandelier, double-light windows, with segment-headed sashes; also, fourteen-inch double-faced moulded skirtings, similar to those in the bank chamber and manager's rooji. The cornice of the ceiling has a tarepty-one-inch girth, and the height of the ceiling is 12 feet. At the rear o2 the drawing-room is a bedroom of the same size, furnished with a carved wooden chimneypiece and bell. On the opposite Bide of the passage there is another bedroom (15ft. 6in. by 15ft.), and in the same story are linen closet, servant's bedroom, housemaid's closet, and bath-room (10ft. 4in. x B£t.), containing lead bath, fitted for hot, cold, and sbower-baths, the bath bemg painted in imitation of white marble. A curtain-pole is also provided. There is a back staircase leading to tbe kitchen and servants' rooms on the ground floor. The flooring throughout is 4-inch by I^-inch tongued and grooved, and ib secret nailed. The doors of the principal apartments are all stained and varnished, and fitted with black ebony furniture. All the walls and ceilings are plastered, and, in this respect, tho building is different to the majority of buildings in town. Mr. J. C. George experienced considerable difficulty in obtaining plasterers for the work, having to bring them from Wellington and other places, and this has caused an unexpected delay in the completion of the contract. It is to be hoped, however, that Mr. George will not have to suffer the penalties that the delay has occasioned. The drainage of the building has been well attended to, there being upwards of 100 lineal feet of earthen drain pipes used. The roof is to be painted with brown hematite paint. The whole of the internal woodwork, with the exceptions already mentioned, is varnished. There are five chimneys finished in cement with smoke blowers and brackets. A handsome iron rail fence in cement base encloses the front of the building, the iron work having been turned out from Mr. Vivian's workshop in a very creditable manner. The architects were Messrs. Armson, Collins, and Lloyd, of Christchurch ; Mr. J. C. George was the contractor ; and the sub-contractors were : Plumber, Mr. Howell ; bricklayer, H. Hooker ; and painter, Messrs. Okey and Son. The work has been executed in first-class style, and reflects credit alike on the contractor and sub-contractors. Mr. Bond, the Clerk of the Works, under whoso immediate supervision the building has been erected, has been most assiduous in the discharge of his duties, and has been careful to see that the specifications were thoroughly carried out. The Bank of New South Wales are to be congratulated on the completion of these handsome premises, and they have shown their faith in the prospects of this district by the expenditure involved in the erection of such a handsome building.