SAFE DEPOSITS.

Dominion, Volume 2, Issue 428, 10 February 1909, Page 8

SAFE DEPOSITS.

PTJBLIC TRUST OFFICE AEEANGEMBNTS. ; - 'SYSTEM. TO BE TEIEDHEEE. ..;.;. •'■ "When the handsome new Publio Trust Offlce, Lambton Quay,: is; a little nearer internal completion/it will no-doubt attract:mahy visitors., lt:is:unique in several respeots. One.'of ■ tte' most, novel ■ departures is ' ttie proposed establishment of an up-to-date safe deposit system , 'in the basement of the building, which has been specially:designed for the purpose. When the system is in working order;,people: for'the payment of an annual fee, will be able, to deposit their valuables-wither" doouments or otherwise—in separate lookers in the'basement of Trust - Office j' , '. arid: they will be able,' under ;'oertain rules to visit their "lookers and f inspeot, the. contents. ■ .....:,;:, \ ■■■..-.■■ ■' The. establishment of safe deposits in all large townsf or. cities is now almost universal. Much greater security, it is contended, can be' obtained when the valuable belongings of a number, of persons.' are • proteoted collectively and systematioally, than .whon.they are distributed 'at di£Eerent places of business and in private ' houses. There is less risk of loss from fire as well as theft; and people whose, residence is not permanent, or who do not care to go' to the: expense of buying a reliable safe,, can.get all the protection;they desire for their plate ■ jewellery, wills,; bonds, settlements, •etb.;" , b--hiring one ■of ■ the little lockers at a "safe d*posit for any length of. time they ohoose. Lawyers, for instance,''often prefer to hire a series of.lockers to. guard the more.important papers : of their clients,-rather'than rely upon the inadequate protection of the,old tin-box on an office shelf. Eaoh renter of a locker has direct but guarded access to his-own locker, and every defence.that.Ecience can.afford against loss-by' fire or robbery. ". ':,.'.

It is proposed to:make the doors to ; the entrance of the chamber , or : basement of the Public, Trust Office safe deposit'of Chubb's patent steel fire and. thief-resisting pattern—the doors being controlled by diagonal bolts of patent gunpowder-proof,' nripiokable looks, The gate at the entrance, of the vestibule will be controlled by two locks,-so that if desirable the' control .of the ohamber will: be retained undor.the joint oustody of the officers of .both the.safe deposit and record room.' The Public Trustee will probably have, a grand masterkey, by which he ■ will be; able,: if he deemsit necessary, to lock out everyone. ■■'. : . The ■; oustodian's : office will 1 probably be "a grille,' with the opening'facing "the entrancedoor, where -.the safe deposit customers are identified. Subscribers may, if they desire; have absolute privacy in examining the' contents of their own lockers. Of course, every care will be taken to.ensure safety from fire.