Colonial Mutual Life Assurance Society.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume XII, Issue 3912, 14 September 1891, Page 3

Colonial Mutual Life Assurance Society.

Hew Building*

(Melbourne .'Argus' August 12.) The fine building known as the Colonial Mutual Cham be rp, in Market street, Melbourne, which has recently been erected for the Colonial Mutual Life Assurance Society, adjoining / the head office of that Society, compares very favorably with any of the large business premises which have recently been built in tbe city. The land upon which it stands has a frontage of-5 lft to Market-st, with a depth of 182 ft, and was -purchased by the society from Messrs Lang and Thonemann before the period known as the land boom. During the boom the whole amount of tbe purchase money was offered to the society for jyhalf the land, but the Directors took the view that the land was an investment and declined to make it the subject ot speculation. The solid roomy structure affords accommodation not only for the assurance society which owns the premises, but for a large number of other offices as well. The building itßeli, which is 135 ft in height from the pavement to the finial, is in the Renaissance style of architecture, and the facade, which is of red brick, is faced with ornamental dressings of cement. In the basement are spacious cellars and plenty of storage room, where tha atmosphere on the 'warmest summer day must be deliriously cool. Tbe ground floor is occupied by the Colonial Mutual Fire Insurance Company and by the Phoenix Fire Insurance Company, while the Colonial Mutual Life Assurance ] Society also has its board room here. Wide passages lead into tbe building both from Collins-street and from Mar-ket-street, and form a short cut for pedestrians between the two. streets. There are nine stories in all, and amongst the offices in the building are those of tbe Metropolitan Fire Brigades Board and tbe Country Fire Brigades Board. The Chamber of Commerce has also rented a suite of offices on the second floor. The top floor is given up to the actuarial and * Accountant's department of the Colonial Mutual Life Assurance Society, and from the windows of the different rooms a magnificent view is over "the city and the bay. building is lit by the electric light, which has been fitted up by the New Australian Electric Lighting Company. A solid blucstone staircase extends from tbe basement to the top! Btory, but for tbe convenience of tenants and others fast running passenger lifts have been placed in position by the Austral Otis Elevator Company, and may be used without a qualm even by the most timid. They have been constructed on a new principle, which ensures perfect safety, eyen should the ropes break, each car being fitted with «n indiarubber band round tbe floor, while the well in which it works gradually narrows in width from the ground floor downwards A trial was made recently, when the ropes were taken off, and one of the cars wns allowed to drop from the top floor to the bottom. After passing the ground floor it eame to a gradual stop in the "aircushion," and a bucket of water; which had been placed inside was not even fepillcd. Many of the offices TjaveMSeedfitted with fire-proof strong rooms and iron safes, and every precaution has been taken against the possibility of fire. Tbe sanitary arrangements are perfect, and excellent lavatories and retiring rooms have been provided for the tenants.