1935-10-03 — Page 5

PREPARE FOR H.K. BANK OPENING

CEREMONY SET FOR NEXT THURSDAY

·

IMPOSING NEW BLOCK DESCRIBED

The turn of a gold key in the main door by His Excellency the Officer Administering the Government, Hon. Mr. N. L. Smith, at 11 n.m. on Thursday, October 10, will officially open the new head office of the Hongkong and Shanghai Banking Corporation in Queen's Road Central,

The Colony's magnificent new building an outstanding example of modern architecture and engineering is now receiving its finishing touches. With the removal of scaffolding the Brink presents an imposing sight.

Representatives of the foreign and Chinese press viewed the building yesterday. Experts connected with the erection, Mr. J.. Henshllwood (General Manager of Chubbs Lid.,`England), Mr. J. A. Ritchie (Partner of Messrs. Palmer and Turner, architects) and Mr. L., B. Woolley (speciul representative of Ronen Lid., London) were present and explained detalls.

Although two hours were 'spent in-thé Inspection time did ̧ not suffice to see all

the old Bark

un

1

WAS

British Empire Products

some of the

THE

HONGKONG

TELEGRAPH. THURSDAY, OCTOBER

The Savings Bank, Inward Bills, Drafts, Fixed Deposits and Outward Bills Departments extend along the right hand side, in the order non- ed. Facing them (and taken. In order from the Queen's Road in trance) are the Chinese, Cash, Cur- rent Accounts, and Correspondence Departments. At the for (Des Vouux Road) end are the Chief Manager's, the Managers and Chief Accountant's

officer,

the Telegby Secretaries, and the Brokers' and Waiting Roonis. There are

Mezzaning doors at each end, that on the Queen's Road front being given up to stationery and record storage, stuff rooms and lavatories, aul that to the north to the Board Room, Correspondence and Filing Offices, the Inspector's. Office, Tele phone Exchange, etc.

1935..

largest box. Within the heavy steel bers of the Staff is on the seventh grille that shuts off the Safo De- floor. Above it isnt for the posit Vault from the entrance hall, Chlef Manager and two finis for but outside the 20 ton door, is the senior members of the staff. There. Custodian's Lobby, at each end of is also in the tower a.Squash Court which are small inspection rooms ar and changing room, and apartments ofices, fitted with steel desks, tele for certain of the junior staff and phones and other conveniences, for

for the Resident Engineer. An ob- the use of clients who desire to deal servation

balcony surrounds the with their valuables without remov. eleventh floor, giving an uninterrupt- ing them from the Banking premises.

ed view on all sides. Ench of these rooms is

is Afted with

special lock, permitting the oc • cupants to open the doors from the inside, but only the Custodian can open them from the outside, thus ensuring complete privacy. Electric ctric Indicators

show which of the inspee Lion rooms, are occupied, In the Safe Deposit Vault itself there are 7,000 steel boxes of varying sizes, which will be available at a reas430}=

The barrel vault over the Bandable annual rental. ing Hall is supported by delicately fluted columps of dark Ashburton marble, which contraste pleasingly

one,

of

Royal, and wing, the Theatre ture of the British Empire. The the grid are arranged. ..

on its west.

than

the

to fix the

of the

Archi-

:

had been below the other. Their labours have been re- on the walls, travertine

IN

Ingenious Night Safe

chariotination locks,

even

elaborate nir-

of

cover the quarry

13-

+

Office Flours

The intermediate floors between the mezzanine and the seventh are designed as offices for letting, there also being air conditioned and can he renched by fast lifts from either the Queen's Rondor Des Voeux Rond entrances. The office fourn are laid with a special linloum of green marbled finish with brown intile coved skirtings, Lavatories throughout the building have tiled walls, ceramic floorn, marble divi sions between the WCs, which are the usual tanks. The doors here, as else elsewhere throughout the building, are of steel, stove enamelled to a rich brown colour.

The Building was designed by the Shangbai ollee of Messra. Palater &

F.B.X.,

Archilect for the Shanghai premises in ele for the design of building miner

The organisation and direction of the construction programme was in the hands of Messra, M. H. Logan and L. W. Amps, M. INST, CE, Char- tered Civil Engineers, who ave brought out from England A staff special

of expert supervisors and machinery for the purpose.

bus

Other Features

The Hongkong Electric Company building. Should the supply of city speciai sub-station in the

On

A Chubb's Night Safe, of with the pale and highly polished genious construction, has been pro-itted with lush valves instead of Botticino marble used for the wallvided in the exterior musonry near fining columns elsewhere

and, the cream coloured the Main, Entrance for the benefit in the of ellents who desire to deposit their Hall. The sides of the birrel vault

when the takings in safety embody richly coloured designs in Bank is eloyed to business. Venetian mosaica, representing, on The rest of Jower

the

ground floor the progress Transport

occupied almost through the ages in the Enstern and i Bank's Treasuries entirely by the Turner, Mr, G. L. Wilson, F.R.I.B.A..

to which access in the Western hemispheres, and, on

obtained by a a staircase the

from the composition portraying Cash Department, as well as by a other, a the progress of Industry and

Com

passdoor from the Des Voeux Rond merce In those Straight overhead are two

hemispheres entrance. These Treasuries, like the

Vault,

of Safe Deposit cal

great mosaica composed of Cures, strength,

the Goddess of Abundance, and Helius.

find

burglar-proof are fitted with the latest com the Sun-God driving his

Silver can be dis Across the sky. The decoration of charged into them from lorries ac the vault is completed by semi-com

in commodated circular panels at each end, depiel-Yard, where they are not exposed to 11 special Safety

The following description has been į ditioning

and the ing Enstern and Western banking. public view. installed, contributed by a loenf architect: ducts Axed and connected up.

It was a happy conception of the The Treasuries contain space for Architects to keep the interior As the stone facing of each thor the building extremely simple, save Hongkong is generally conceded to

of checking, counting, packing and un- be one of the loveliest harbours on was finished, windows were put into in the richly coloured mosales of the packing coins and bullion, and the the Pacific and it would be difficult position in the sub-frames prepared barrel vault; the result is most in-dollars can be stacked in a manner steel shelving is so arranged that to imagine a more picturesque set-io receive them. Hongkong is not posing and interesting.

current fail at any time the Bank ting for the new Head Office of the infrequently in the track of typhoons,

that permits of them being easily

power station in the basement has largest British Bank In the Far so the special steel windows, im-

The public space below paved counted.

an emergency generator East than the site on the ground ported from England, have been with travertine and Swedish green A patrol corridor, connected with tains a special X-Ray stark room for

The

ground floor of the Bank con- sloping upwards from Des Voeux tested to resist a wind pressure of

and surrounded by a well the Guards' Duty Roum, surrounds the detection of forgeries. Read, immediately behind Statue at least 180 miles per hour.

counter of the same dark the Treasuries, and is so planned Square. Here,

Ashburton as the columns, with Bel- that all the deers will be under the

About 500 tons site 56,000.

of Romeo office square foot in r ca, the new build-

glan black marble at the base and Guarda' observation day and night.equipment is used in the building. ing of the Hongkong & Shanghai

on the top. The floors of the work On the closing of the Bank, access

The Architects Banking Corporation has been erect thing used in the construction

It may be noted here that every ing space behind the counters is of to its ullees can only be ed. It faces

gained south towards the

of Lintile which is a special thick lino- through the Guards' room. Near Peak, with its north facade to the the new building, with the excenleum of marbled finish, laid in panels the latter is a ram for the receipt many years the Hongkong & Shang.

Pulmer & Tarner have been for Square and the harbour, and it oc- tion of

decorative with dark bands in which the tele- and despatch of chit, this render-hai Bank's Architects, having built cupies the space formerly covered by material is a product or manufae phone and other four outlets from ing it unnecessary for messengers to their ckt Head Office in longkong enter any other part of the build-in 1883, and since then they have marble, British and Italian, like the Street, with n

Ing. Kowloon granite, nerived

The Treasuries, like the rest built ived on

Lighting Effects

their frontage of about 247 feet on both;

magnificent Shanghai of the Bank, are air-conditioned, and Office and now have satisfactorily Des Voeux

ent and numbered to show the exact And Queen's Bonds,

compare favourably Lighting of the Banking Hall is

With those of completed their new Head Office it to towering above the Supreme Court Position in which it was be pine-

any other Bank in the world, Hongkong. on its east, and the Chartered Bank and so necurately was it work-fected by large bronze aylights in el to the Architects drawings that and sindowless fight over the entire

the ceiling, which throw an

Palmer & Turner need no. intro. The Basement

duction to Hongkong. no entting was necessary

They have Demolition of the former Headsite Ashburton and Italian Bot.

Bot working space. Bronze wall fixtures

Below the lower ground floor jy

left their mark of distinction Office was only begun. on October ticino marble have been used

provide indirect illumination for the the basement, which extends across

mang important buildings At 11, 1933: but in spite of the arduous the interior columns and wall in spaces which will not be lit by the the entire width of the Des Voeux Shanghai also they are well known, task of

pulling down the icings, Swedish green and travertine feiling lights, and indirect cornice on frontage; it is of considerable use,

their works including the Customs masonry of the offices and breaking for the floors,

Specially skilled lighting is employed for the public depth and most imposing. Here are

Hotel Cathay

And Sassoon up the reinforced concrete of the workmen

space and the moanics of the conditioning machinery, boilers, and the recently

House, the Metropole Hotel and the barrel accommodated were enlisted rooms, which necessitated the Venetian messies in the Troudatables telephones or light connections old notes, books and rubbish, and the flats for the Guthny Land Comiting, strong

vault. A grid below the floor en incinerators for the destruction of

Hamilton House, Breted block of Mansions employment of compressed air drills of the Banking Hall. No wood and oxy-acetylene apparatus, the

to be made at every desk by means site had been cleared by December gured in the construction

building.

of plugs, without long unsightly wire pumps which are required for vari-known as Grosvenor House, and to 18. Most of January was devoted It is worthy of special note that

connections.

our purposes, and a large workshop.s

this formidable list they are adding to the sinking of test boreholes by this important building, with

At the north end of the Banking The Ammonia Refrigerating Plant is now Bank of China (in associa the Bank's Construction Миладети.

numerous trades and sub-contracts,

elsall is the landing of the marble enclosed with a metal and ginsstion with that Bank's Architect, Mr. Messra. Logan & Amps, with a view many of which were let in England staircase leading down to the Des screen pud is provided with special, S. Luke), The Bund frontage of to determining the best type of and Canada, has been opened with Voeux Roud

entrance. Here aventilation to the open ale to pre

which will tower high above the al foundation for the new building. Äk

Asin.

bronze screen separates the Hall vent leakage of ammonia no one year of the laying of the from the ollices of the Chief Manu; I want the floor will be kept change in Shanghai's skyline, for no?

Cathay into the jacent been responsible, more

Hotel. A result was decided that

It

White no Foundation Stone. Both the

building,

tiles

They bearing piles should be used, bat tects and Construction Managers deger, Managers, Chief Accountant,

tian yone else, for the great. that

the

besunk serve the fullest praise for the efft-te which overlook Statue Square. I clean as a new pin, for the bait less than fourteen important struc-| foundation should

The basenient down to the hard decomposed granite ciency of their organisation and for The Managers and Brokers TOO [!! which, previous to the reclamation the close co-operation with each

are finished with unpolished marble underground tanks below the private from the river

ers are fed with oil-fuel, stored in

Lures of their design en be reun of the land, Siarkour

This is no mean floors, and Driving of ac

of the 40 ft. warded in the most satisfactory re-

simple plaster ceilings, and here, as roadway to the West of the build-achievement and is the direct result sheet piling along the front portion sult.

in the rest of the building, all the ing, and fed to the furnaces auto- of the courage which prompted them was completed in February, 1934,

furniture is of metal, Separatematically.

many years ago in 1910, when they and progress was made with ex-

The Finished Building

ventilation has been provided for The Main Switch Room, on the built the first high

in cavating. Some difficulty was CX-

Shangant, the presented. pertëneed with the enormous bould- The new Head Office is 220 feet ers, large pieces of rock (some of8qpure, and rises to a height of Banking Hall is closed.

Room, is the last word in electrical vious experience to guide them, ..

it which had to be blasted) nad a thick 220 feet, towering above all other

The

Des Voeux Road entrance is engineering. The entire electrical was almost impossible to foresee the bed of coral, and also in keeping buildings on the same level. If it reached by a marble stairense with installations of the building are con- result of building high structures on the excavated portion drained by was the intention of those respon a solid balustrade of Botticing and trolled from this switch board which what is virtually a floating founda- pumping,

sible for the design to embody there. Ashburton marble. Carved panels in 80 feet in length, and here too tion. in an appearance of confidence and low relief and bronze wall bawis for is the master clock which operates Royal Academy Exhibition | strength, they have certainly auc-lighting are features of this stair all the electric clocks on the pre-

The following is an extract front ceeded. The strong vertical treat case,

mises. An emergency system of

the Journal of the Royal Institate. of British Architects:

Royal Academy Exhibition, 1935 "Mr.

George L. Wilson sends his at Kowloon had become hives of in-fully in keeping with the grandeur either side by large bronze lions, The air-conditioning plant operates

design, with a drawing by Mr. Wal- dustry, and each shaped and finish of the Peak in the background, similar to those which nave attract throughout the building, including col,of the great now Hongkong stone, was numbered to corres- Massive piers which rise to the fulled the almost superstitious reverence the residential fats on the upper Bank, a dramatic and successful sky- pond with the Architects plans, so height of the tower are surmuunt of the Chinese in Shanghai, that work could proceed without de-ed by carved figureheads, severe in bolle of the British spirit, they were

Sym-floors, maintaining an equal tem- scraper with well-balanced wings,

perature everywhere, and what is and that most difficult thing, a goo the builders lay

were design, typifying "Men of Vision". on the site. Stect works in At the four corners of the tower- Wagstaff in Shanghai,

modelled and cust by Mr. W. W. even more important, controlling the top storey. This is a notable build- the percentage is sup- ing, of a that seldom ind England were already making and top, are sculptured Lions heres. Des Voeux Road entrance, or five pismentell, by an invisible panel- its way into Burlington Loun, Jos shipping out the framework of the typifying "Strength", ench of bronze panels

heating which maintains Empirn provides few such new building, which is constructed which is carved salt offer to botice, Peresenting China, Japans comfortable temperature in the cold opportunities to British Architects, entirely of Chromodor steel. This piece of stone.

India

and the Federated Malay doors with radiators.

season, without ehcumbering the material has 40 per cent. more

States (in which countries the Bank

NEW TENANTS strength than mild steel and has not

has important interests) while the

The Bank, offices and residential before been used for the entire framework

centre panel bears the Bank's Cont quarters are equipped with eleven of any large building. The official address of the new

Firms to ifts of the latest type. of Arms.

the metal

Shift into The For the new Bank 2,400 tons were building is No. 1 Queen's Road, and

New Bank Building Imported Into Hongkong.

The lobby within the entrance cars and doors of which have been it is therefore, on this thoroughfare: doors gives access to the entrance specially designed to harmonise with The excavation of the front por-facing away from the waterfront, nil, от which there are bronze the rest of the building. tion of the site

It is learned was finished that the main entrance is situated, grilles with doors

in

leading on the have a speed of 600 feet per minute, firms will be tenants March, and during April the Con. There is, however, an alternative right to the lifts to the offices on

and their aperation Is almost un-Bank building struction Managers completed the entrance on the lower, waterproofing of the raft and foun-Road, level, south of Statue Square, to the Safe Deposit Vault. This is of the gates, starting and stopping son and Fritz; Wallem and Con- Des Voeux the upper storeys, and on the left canny, as the opening and closing First floor: Messrs. Swan, Culbert- dations below the tower. and the is from the harbour that one gels a feature which deserves a para-

are autentically controlled by the pany: laying and concreting of the mainline best view of the edifice as n

mere pressing of a button by the beams of the reinforced concrete whole, dwarfing the adjacent build graph to itself.

attendant. raft. Everything was now in rending, and with the Peak towering

Artistic Flooring ness for the steel work, the first of behind. which was the setting of the great On

The actual Bank premises include The Safe Deposit Vault has been a nearer view from either side square and solid base plates on one is impressed by the magnificent specially designed by Messrs. Chubbs, the lower and main ground floora, which were erected the huge main bronzework and panels. Much care of Englund. The walls, floor and and the mezzanines, with Staff stanchions. The framework of the was given to the designing of these roof of the actual Safe Deposit Quarters on the seventh and higher building soon took shape, and, while which were specially modelled und

Room

are constructed of spoelal | floors. The Board Roont it was

was rising, another batch of work-cast in England. The main entranc materials, Including a patent farin mezzanine facing the harbour has entrance of steel reinforcement designed to walls faced with brown Japan of men were concreting the main re- from Queen's Road

aining, walls to the basement and Bight of granite steps, and through resist every known form of attack. sandstone, the woodlike vèlning of the harbour and surroundings).

reinfocee-

cee- musalve bronze gates

surmounted king it the strongest in the Far which gives a pleasing effect. It ment of the newes

The by Norman figures in armour.

East. Heavy steel grilles cut off the has a Botticino marble fireplace, and “ steelwork at the rear portion of the site did not at first kn

The main flight of steps in flank. Safe Deposit Department from the the same material is used for the Turner. pace with ed on the past by stairs leading to rest of the building. Through them fluted panels beneath the marble that at the front, owing to unex- the hall and lifts for the offices one can see the 20 ton polished atcel window shelves, and the shafts of difficulties encountered in ex-above the Bank; and on the west. It is constructed of a special steel is of Lintile, the latest and most

door of the Safe Deposit Room. the octagonal columns.

The flooring Cavating: but by September this by a similar sheet fight,

Riving portion of the foundation was also access to the Chinese Department of door which will resist all known

artistic form of linoleum. completed, and by October 17 auf the Bank. Within the bronze doors forms of safe-breaking, including From the foregoing description it cient of the stone-facing had been is an entrance hall which nets nexy-acetylene apparatus, yet it is no will bę. realized that the Banking put into position for the ceremony an air-lock to prevent too rapid accurately balanced that when uns portion of the building is, the last of laying the Foundation Stone, leakage of conditioned nir. Entrance

locked it can he swung by the

pres-word in, design and equipment. No This was performed by H.E. the to the main Banking Hall Itself is sure of one finger. An emergency wood has been used In its 'constrac Governor of Hongkong, Sir William gained through an Imposing bronze door smaller but of equal strength, tion-doors, trimmings, desks and Peel, K.-M., K.DE.

screen, 13 feet in width and 18 feet steel lined, and the Deposit is lined of steel. The desks are anished in In also provided, The vestibule is chairs, and all other furniture being in height. It contains three kener from floor to ceiling with stainless atoved enamel, stippled bronze ously proportioned doors, surmount- ed by artistic panels, the centre one steel boxes of various sizes.

colour, and the steel chairs From that time onward the build- of which depicts the Bank's Cont of red floor la of rubber, the celling England made a careful study of the design. Ronco axports from ing avemed to grow, visibly, The Arnis. The portico is Anished lighting is by cornice entire framework was in position by throughout with granite.

Illumination. Bank's requirements, and all the the walls for air furniture and equipment has been avoid piercing this was effected designed with the object of afford just ahead of the stone-masons were

from outside when the door is open, ing the maximum of efficiency and the workmen engaged; in Installing The Banking Hall, 210 feet in by a very ingenious connection which convenience. The Current Account the piping for the plumbing of the length and 96 feet in width, occupies swings around when the door closes. Ledgers, for examples, are stored here. building and the network of con- an area of 14,600 square feet and Every known device in the way of it light-weight fireproof safon under- Many members of the Cabinet dults and cables

The lighting the barrel vault

is 27 feet high, rising to 48 feet in electric signals and alarms. Is in neath the reinforced concrete count and diplomatic representatives and telophone services, and special

Dvor the public stalled. Clients of the Bank in aders, and where partitions are requir-attended the ceremony. panel-heating colls were recessed in space. The public space extends the dition to renting Safe Deposit Boxes, ed they are provided by movable the ceilings to warm the building in whole length of the Danking Hall, have at their disposal six large steel grilles, or bronze and glass honeymoon in Sweden-United The couple are spending their winter. Below In the baroment, the the barrel vault over being Di feet steel strong rooms if they require panels. Intricate, machinery, for the air con, in length and 81 feet in diameter, greater space than provided by the The luncheon room for the inem Press;

conditioned alt sive onlees, so that Du Voeux Rond level, and imme

is available when thediately behind the Transformering. In those days, with no pre-

Hives of Industry.

While, the foundations were being ment above the sold horizontal base Let us pay a visit to the actual lighting comes into operation auto- prepared, activities were

taking gives an impression of extraordin entrance before inspecting the low-matically in the event of any break- place elsewhere. The stone quarries ary strength and stability, which is ur ground floor.

It is flanked on down in the main lighting system.

ed

as soon as

setting the intricate

actu

Visible Growth

November, stonework was rising

steadily on all sides; and keeping

Main Entrance

ix

Banking Hall

To

The

Safe Deposit Vault

with polished and the

ducts, nir

--

lifts

The

on the

in

are of

that the following in the new

Second floor: Dr. Herbert To; Loke Yung-cheong.

Third floor: Mesars. Dodwell and Co United States Treasury Department. Ltd.; L. Dunbar and Company: Fourth floor: MensTA. Johnston, Stokes and Master; National Analine and Chemical Company.

Fifth floor: The American Club, and commands a wonderful view of (This floor has the splendid terrace

Sixth floor: Messrs. Pulmer and The Hoventh floor will be the Bunk less, the eighth floor will be flats will contain the Manager's Bat. for Bank staff while the ninth floor

POPULAR WEDDING

SECRETARY OF AGRICULTURE'S SISTER WEDS SWEDE

Washington, Oct. 2, Miss Ruth Wallaco, eister

of Mr. Henry Wallace, Secretary of Agriculture, was married to-day to Mr. P. E. R. Wijkman, commercial counsellor to the Swedish Legation

BEDSTEADS

AND BEDDING

RESTEEZI

BEDSTEAD

MAMO

四

OKS OF WILTEAWAY'S STANDARD VALUES.

"OXYDIZED

FINISHED

SILVER"

BEDSTEADS. THIS ATTRACTIVE, AND STRONGLY BUILT BED, IS FITTED WITH AN ALL- STEEL DIAMOND MESH SPRING.

SIZE 3' x 6'6"

PRICE

$29.50

EACH

OUR WELL-KNOWN

"RESTEEZI"

BEDSTEAD

IS FITTED WITH THE

PATENT "PLYCENE"

SPRING WHICH WILL

NOT SAG

SIZE 3' x 6'6"

In Black

In White

ONE OF

$21.50

.50

$235

each

cach

WHITEAWAYS

NEW

(BASIC

VALUES

OD

SIMMONS BEDS

We have just received a new stock, of the latest models, in Simmons Bedsteads. This smart new model, is an all steel construction, and finished in a Walnut effect.

PRICE

SIZE 9'3" x 6'6"

$59,50

EACH

INCLUDING SPRING,

MATTRESSES AND PILLOWS, MADE TO ORDER.

WHITEAWAY, LAIDLAW & CO., LTD.

SEE HONGKONG

FROM THE AIR.

THE ONLY ALL-ANGLE VIEW FROM ABOVE

THE CLOUDS

PLEASURE FLIGHTS DAILY

'Phone 58612.

A

From $5.00

Kaj Tak Airport,

Hongkong.

NOTICE

COMPETITORS IN THE RECENT.

AMATEUR PHOTOgraphic com-

PETITION ARE REQUESTED TO

CALL FOR THEIR ENTRIES AT THE OFFICE OF "THE HONG-

KONG TELEGRAPH",

MORNING POST BUILDING:

Page 5Page 6