THE BANK OF NEW ZEALAND

Waikato Times, Volume XV, Issue 1323, 21 December 1880, Page 3

THE BANK OF NEW ZEALAND

! The Sydney branch of the Bank of New Zealand was opened in a small office, at 32 Hunter-street, in April, 1875 ; but the great support it met with and the rapid increase of business necessitated a removal in July of the same year to more commodious premises at 99 Pitt-street. Even these offices were, within the next five years, found inadequate to requirements, and advantage was taken in July last of the removal oi the Australian Mutual Provident Life Association to their new buildings opposite to purchase their old premises, 60 Pitt-street, at an outlay of £25,000. Those constituents of the well-known life association who had many transactions in its former offices will be doubtless fully aware that they were but ill-suited for the pursuance of banking business, and previous to occupying them the directors of the Bank of New Zealand decided to effect large alterations. Accordingly, the services of Mr W. W. Wardell being availed of as architect, and the contract for the alterations being placed in the hands of Mr 0. T. Saxton, of Cleveland-street, Redfern, the result has been that the former gloomy offices have been metamorphosed into light and and pleasant one*. The main entrance is now through a uand'-orae porch, surmounted by a blocked cornice, and swing doors fitted with embossed glass, having " B.N Z." on each panel in antique lettering. Facing this door are the offices at which cheques have to be presented fanh being intimated to customers by antique gold letters lined with black ; and a8 they are raised above the ordinary level of the floor, {'cces.s is gained to them by the clerks from the front part of the counter by a small door, which being opened, brings forward a step. The large main h.ill separates these offices from the tellers' boxe* and the bill department, pII of which are fitted up with the latest improvements. The painting of the wallb is a ctarming shade of mauve, picked out with gold, and the ceiling is a triumph of the plasterer's art. Every arrangement has been made for lighting these departments at night, and a peculiarity about the gas jets, which are the newest patterns, is that they are arranged in rows from whichever poiut the spectator view them. On the left of the main hall, at the back of the cheque department is the accountant's room, which, from a dark and di.-mal apartment, rendering lighted gas necessary almost throughout the day, has been transformed into a light and airy one. Proceeding to the end of the hall the manager's private office is entered — a lofty and well-ventilated, but, if anything, too light a room. The ornamentation of this apartment is in keeping with the front office, the excels of light being derived from the large glass dome in the centre; but the contractor will obviate that slight defect by the erection of a shade, which will deaden the ultra brightness. The room is handsomely fumisred, and by a happy idea the hafe is fixed in the centre of a large bookcase, rendering it most easy of access To the left of the manager's room, upon entrance, is a lavatory, fitted with wa.sh.stande, baths and every requinitt convenience j while on the right are the correspondents' rooms, with speaking tubes running in from each office, and furnished with desks, table and chair to match. Passing from this latter along a smaller hall, on the left, is f rected a large cupboard, contain) ug pigeon-holes for the reception of bank stationery ; and further along the clerks' lavatory, fitted up with all the most modern improvements. On the basement i« the luncheon room, and residence of the caretaker of the premises. The .strongroom, which it id almost unnecessary to say is fireproof, is at the back of the tellers' desks, the numerous safes being arranged upon the ground floor ; while upon the the t*tory above, ascent, to which is made by a spiral iron staircase, are thp shelveß containing the old ledgers and paperw relating to pfist transaction* of the bank— a causal glance at which will disclose how numerous they have been. The whole of the flooring, from the drains five feoi under the foundation, has been taken up i md replaced ; and an iron girder, three tons in weight, fctretches acro.-s the ceiling, and materially strengthens the building. The upper portion of the building, to which entrance is obtained by a doorway to the bouth of that of the bank, has been divided off into offices, many of which are now ready for occupation. The alterations were completed on Saturday morning and tho removal was effected after banking hours upon that day so expeditiously that the new offices were enabled to be opeued for business at the usual hour yesterday morning. The new premises leflect the highest credit upon the contractor, Mr. Saxton, who admits himself indebted to Mr. E. B. Holt, the manager, for many of his ideas. — Sydney Herald.