NEW BANK PREMISES.

King Country Chronicle, Volume V, Issue 369, 14 June 1911, Page 5

NEW BANK PREMISES.

Situated at the corner of King and Rora streets, the new premises of the Union Bank of Australia, Ltd., which were occupied on Monday last by the local staff of the Bank, present a substantial and imposing appearance commensurate with the institution sheltered therein. The building, the work on which has been excellently carried out by Messrs Markwick and O'Reagn, contractors, was designed by Mr M. J. Jones, architect, Te Kuiti, and possesses several ingenious features deserving of more than passing notice. The structure itself is brick, faced with cement. Passing through the main doors, the banking chamber, about 25 feet square, is entered. The woodwork of the counters and desks is of oiled rimu, and the beauty of this finely-grained wood is given full effect to. The counter and fitting? have been so planned by Mr Jones a3 to give the largest possible amount of space to both the customers and the staff, there being room for half a dozen clerks if needed, and ample space in front for the public. The floor has been covered with inlaid linoleum, and the walls carried out in white, giving a quiet but effective appearance to the chamber. The tellers' desk has the usual brass screen associated with city banks, and the whole is a highly creditable outcome of the architect's ingenuity. To the left of the banking chamber is the manager's room, measuring 17 ft x 13ft, and behind that a stationery and typist's room 13ft x 9ft. Next to that is the strong room measuring 9ft 6in|x 7ft 6in, and 10ft in height. This room is most effectively planned to resist burglary, and it would tax the wits of the smartest of city thieves to even get within reach of the securities placed therein. At the rear of the building are the officers' quarters, furnished with all conveniences of the usual nature, and in all rooms gas fittings have been placed ready for connection when the borough gets its light. The total cost of the whole building is about £IBOO. The new premises are a credit to architect, builders and. owners, and will serve the growing business of the bank for many years to come. Permanent buildings such as this, erected by far-seeing financial institutions, do more to prove the solid foundation on which the prosperity of Te Kuiti and thß King Country stands, than almost any other indication of what the future has in store.