HANDSOME BUILDING

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 2, Issue 134, 11 March 1940, Page 5

HANDSOME BUILDING

BANK'S ENTERPRISE LOOKING TO THE FUTURE A building designed to meet the needs of both the institution and the lOAvn of fifty years hence is that erected by the Union Bank of Australia. Built in an unusual form, in that it I'olloavs the lines of the Strand and George Street and is not rectangular, the building is imposing Avith its long, narroAV-fram-ecl avhkloavs and canary-coloured plaster exterior. It constitutes another example of Whaliatane's development and the directors of the Bank are to be congratulated on expressing so monumental a confidence in the town's and district's continued prosperity. In use for the first time, this morning, the public has an opportunity of inspecting the interior and furnishings. The Banking cham ber is roomy and is of an extremely neat design. The counter tops are j of Queensland Maple and the rest' of the fittings are of rimu„ finished j in rosewood, the counters, partitions and desks contrasting strikingly Avith the Avhite of the plaster Avails and mock-beamed ceiling. Lay-out. Immediately on the right lrom the door is the Accountant's desk and next to that is the Exchange counter. The Ledger-keeper occupies a position at the end, facing the Strand AV-ndoAVS. Opposite the door is the entrance to the manager's room and betAA r een that and the Ledgers are situated the Security and Bills counter and the two Tellers' desks. Under the AvindoAvs on the Strand frontage provision has been made for clients' use and a settee completes the furnishings. The floor is covered with quarter-inch, soundabsorbing 'Lintile,' of a shade Avhich harmonises Avith the interior picture. Toilet rooms for the staff, accommodation for Avhich the building allows fourteen, are provided at the rear. Designed to Avithstand anything short of a salA'o of 16 inch shells, the strong-room can be opened only aa lien tAvo separate keys are employed. No one will hold both keys. The room has cages lor safe custodies and securities and these cages, too,, are locked. A miniature safe for the managers use is set in one corner of his spacious, quarters. The room, Avhich is electrically heated, is furnished in rosewood-finished rimu.

Parts Played. The architects for the building were Messrs Laurence and Swan, of Wellington, and Messrs Boon, Sullivan and Luke were responsible for the construction. Supervision on behalf of the Union Bank of Australia was exercised by Mr Alexander Cowan, who acted as Clerk of Works for the seven months occupied in the completion of the contract. « » «* a The oldest established business enterprise in New Zealand, and the oldest trading bank in each of the principal centres, the Union Bank of Australia, Limited, will celebrate its New Zealand Centenary this month, and it is extremely fitting, therefore, that operations in its new building at Whakatane should commence to-day. The bank opened an office at Port Nicholson, Wellington, on March 24th, 1810, having been established under arrangement with the NeAV Zealand Land Company even prior to New Zealand becoming a British colony. The Auckland branch of the bank was opened in 1848, under the management of Mr Alexander Kennedy. Dr John Logan Campbell, afterward Sir John Logan Camp bell, and Major J. Greenwood were the first local directors. Many prominent names appear in the early books of the branch, including those of Sir George Grey, arid Mr C. W. Ligar, Surveyor-General. Many Branches Established. The bank takes pride in recalling its association with the pioneers. As New Zealand developed the bank established- a network of branches, and to-day it opera!cs branches and agencies throughout the Domi n ion. Major-General Sir John li. Davidson is chairman of directors of the hank's board in London, Mr A. E. H. Goode is general manager for Australia and New Zealand, Mr T. 1\ Fother'mgiinm is inspector for New Zealand, and Mr W. K. Raymond is manager at Wliakalane.