THE AUSTRALIAN MUTUAL PROVIDENT SOCIETY’S NEW OFFICES, WELLINGTON.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXII, Issue 5196, 16 November 1877, Page 7

THE AUSTRALIAN MUTUAL PROVIDENT SOCIETY’S NEW OFFICES, WELLINGTON.

It is pleasing on all occasions to notice in our columns any advance that is made in the adornment of our city. The last addition to our street architecture is the magnificent building just completed for the Australian Mutual Provident Society. It must_ be a source of great satisfaction to tbe society to find that its business has so increased since the establishment of a branch in Wellington for the whole of New Zealand as to necessitate increased accommodation being provided in which to conduct its business. The branch office was opened on the Ist July,-1871, with a staff of three, consisting of the resident secretary (the late Mr. Joseph Dyer), accountant, and an additional clerk. The annual income of the society derived from New Zealand was then about£l7,ooo perammm. The attention given to tbe society’s business by a highly influential local board of directors, consisting ”of the Hon. C. J. Pharazyn, M.D.C. (chairman), Sir W. Pitzherbert, K.C.M.G. (vice-chairman), the Hon. M. S. Grace. M.D., M.L.C., Geo. Hunter,-Esq., M.H.8., and A. de B. Brandon, Esq., M.H-.E., the energy displayed by its canvassing agents, and the exertions of its staff—which now consists of ten besides the resident secretary _ (Mr. E. W. Lowe) —have swollen its annual income in New Zealand to £BO,OOO per annum, notwithstanding the severe opposition the society has had to contend against, in the shape of the New Zealand Government-Assurance Department. The magnitude of the society’s operations, the liberality of its conditions, the success which has attended its business, and the ample security afforded by its reserves, have placed the Australian Mutual Provident Society in the front rank of assurance institutions. Its total annual income now exceeds half a million sterling, whilst its accumulated fund exceeds £2,000,000. The high rate of interest at which its funds are Invested, and the economy of its management, enables the society to declare larger bonuses than any other institution of the kind in any of the Australian colonies or the Home country. Those who assure with it know that every penny over and_ above what is actually required to meet the risks is returned to the members ; and to this fact is to be attributed its grand success. We now proceed to give a detailed description of the exterior and interior of the building, as is due both to the architect, Mr. Julius Toxward, who so ably designed it, and to the builder, Mr. John McKenzie, who has so faithfully carried out those designs. The building is situated at the corner of Custom House-quay and Hunter-street, and occupies oue of the most prominent positions in Wellington. It can bo seen from the harbor and from Willis-street, the busiest thoroughfares, and answers the purpose now sought to bo obtained in all public buildings, viz., that of a standing, advertisement. The building has a frontage of 66ft. to Hunter-street and 40ft. to Custom House-quay, is 50ft. high to tho top of the parapet, and consists of two stories. Its style is Italian. The elevation to Hunterstreet has throe distinct architectural features. Between the ground and first-floor there run an ornamental frieze and cornice. The facade of the lower part is built in moulded quoins. Under each window are consoles and ornamental cantilevers. The windows on the ground floor are circular-headed, and are lift, high by 4ft. wide, surmounted by architraves and carved keystones. The windows of tho first floor are Bft. high, ,Bft. Sin. .wide, and each window is surmounted by two Corinthian columns, with carved capitals and fluted shafts, upon pedestals, between which are balustrades.

These windows are surmounted, ala Palatlio. ''' The upper"fagades between each window and at each corner 'are Corinthian pilasters, with carved capitals!, and fluted shafts, the whole headed by. a main cornice, richly decorated with' cantilevers and m’odillions; each end of this, elevation has a pediment, and the parapet between is filled in with a balustrade. The elevation to Custom Housestreet has likewise three distinct features. The centre part of it forms the public entrance, and has some striking bold designs, formed by carved cantilevers and lion heads. The fagade is similar to that , facing Hunter-street, the centre of the parapet being headed by a pediment. The whole of the windows are glazed with best polished plate glass. The side walls next the Bank of Australasia, and the end wall next to Mr. E. W. Mills’ premises, are carried up the whole height of the building, and form a side parapet some 6ft. high, which will render conflagration from adjoining buildings almost impossible. These walls are builtiuhriok and cement from the foundation, which is some 15ft. to 16ft. below the floor line. The land being reclaimed, the architect deemed it necessary to build the foundation on the solid rock, or what was formerly the bed of the sea. The roof is constructed of kauri timber, and covered with slates. All the gutters and rido-es are of lead. The main entrance, as already stated, is from Custom House-quay, from whence you enter a lobby by six moulded atone stops, the floor beiug paved with ornamental tiles. The walls are decorated with arches, panels, enriched mouldings, a neat cornice cantilever, and centre flower. The lower part of this work is executed in Keen s cement. On the left is a private entrance to the resident secretary’s room, and on the right an archway leading to the staircase. _ In the front a swing door leads to the public office. Ou each side of the entrance to the general office stand Corinthian columns, carrying entablatures made of cedar, French polished. The public office is 36ft. by 22ft„ and 20ft. high. The ceiling is coved, and divided by ornamental beams into double-sunk panels with enriched mouldings. The angles of the beams are filled in with perforated ornamentation, for ventilation. The centre panel, which is circular, is filled in with a neat centre flower. The walls are decorated with a neat cornice and ornamented cantilevers, sunk enriched panels, bands, and festoons. The lower parts of the walls have panelled and moulded cedar dado. All the doors are headed by entablatures. The space iu the office allotted to the public is defined by a beautifully-designed counter, in the enriched Doric style ; and the other parts of this apartment are provided with desks and other furniture. The whole of the interior woodwork is executed iu wellseasoned picked Sydney cedar, French polished. This office communicates with the secretary’s room, which is very lofty and handsome, and also with the accountant s room, strong-room, and clerk’s lavatory. The strong - rooms are built ou the fireproof principle, each measuring 13ft. by Sft., one on the ground floor and another on the first floor, each having two fireproof Milner’s patent doors, concealed by outside cedar doors corresponding with the others in the same room. Ascending the stairs, which are very commodious and occupy a space of 16ft. by 13ft., the whole height of both floors, you arrive on the first floor, which contains a, board-room, doctor’s room, waiting room, auditors’ room, stationery and strong room. The whole of the rooms on this floor are about 5f t. hif'h. The principal rooms are embellished with ornamental cornices, and, with a few exceptions, are fitted with fireplaces and marble mantlepieces. The building is well ventilated,. and the principal rooms are furnished with electric hells aud speaking tubes. Gas and water are laid on, and all other necessary requirements have been provided. Any of the public desiring to inspect this new building, by far the handsomest in town, can do so by permission of the resident secretary after one o’clock ou Saturday afternoon, a courtesy which we have no doubt many will he glad to avail themselves of.