C. B. C. BANK AT BURREN JUNCTION
The first branch of the Commonwealth Banking Company of Sydney was established on 13th May, 1910, and commenced operations in a building leased from Mr William Houlahan. The building, which had previously been used as a baker's shop, was located in Slack-Smith Street for 12/- per week; however, Mr Houlahan volunteered to reduce the rent to a cost of 10/- per week a fortnight later. Previous to this, the Manager of the Bank of N.S.W., Narrabri, arrived to have a look around the town but was “not favourably impressed” and returned that day on the train.
Mr Houlahan started construction of a new building in Waterloo Street on 26th May 1911. These premises were leased to the bank on completion, with the bank commencing operations in the new building on 13th November 1911. The building consisted of a weatherboard exterior with a brick strongroom, stable, buggy shed and feed room, and it was built at an estimated cost of £1,032. The cost of the lease was £108 per annum. The first manager was Mr W. J. Julian. (24) The following information was supplied by Mr Julian Church, who had an agency business at Burren Junction and at one time owned the bank premises.
COMMERCIAL BANK CO. OF SYDNEY LTD:
BURREN JUNCTION
Opened in 1910 by Mr Julian, who arrived one day in a hurry and immediately rented a small building in Railway Street (Now Slack-Smith St) from W. M. Houlahan. This building, which had been erected and used by the local baker for selling bread, had a high counter and shelves around the wall. Mr Julian erected a canvas sign “Commercial Bank” etc., tacked on to the front of the shop; next mail day, an officer from Wales Bank arrived with a view of looking round for suitable premises, but seeing Julian’s sign bolted. Having no safe or money box, Mr Julian carried all his bullion in leather pouches around his person next to his skin, and used to challenge people to weigh them on railway scales. I never saw him lose. I have forgotten how long, but in a short time, he was relieved by Joe Davies, who later induced W. M. Houlahan to build the Bank, which is still in circulation, and up till ’38 was rented by Coml. Bkg. Co. from Houlahan, then purchased from Houlahan by J. T. Church, who in 1950 sold it to the Coy.
On 24th October 1949, Mr J. T. Church purchased the property from Mr Houlahan. In 1950, the C. B. C. Bank purchased the premises from Mr Church. In 1976, the bank curtailed its daily operations and converted to an agency of the Wee Waa Branch from 16th November 1976. The property was purchased by Paul and Gwen Webber and the office rooms leased to the Bank which has been known as the National Australia Bank from 1st January 1983.
From 16th November 1976, the agency's hours of operation were:
Tuesdays 1.30 p.m. to 3.00 p.m.
Fridays 10.00 a.m. to 12.45 p.m.
Since May 1986, the hours have been changed to 9.45 a.m. to 11.15 a.m. on Fridays only.
The List of Managers from Opening to Conversion to an Agency are as follows:
- W. F. Julian – May 1910
- John O’Connell Davies – Sep 1910
- E. H. Hart – Aug 1913
- J. E. Graham – Apr 1917
- H. B. Thompson – Jul 1920
- K. L. Cameron – Jul 1923
- N. J. Thomson (16.8.26 to 30.8.26) while K. K. Cameron opened Pilliga branch on 17.8.26
- A. D. Mackenzie – Feb 1927
- F. E. Hopkins – Sep 1928
- L. J. Dale – Nov 1930
- S. L. Jay – Jun 1935
- F. A. Noble – Dec 1940
- F. J. E. Watson – Mar 1946
- A. B. Longmuir – Jun 1949
- E. S. Proctor – Feb 1953
- R. E. Solling – May 1955
- J. R. Johnston – Aug 1959
- R. A. McMahon – Jun 1964
- R. J. Dawson – May 1969
- D. L. Smith – Jul 1971
- P. L. Kelly – 1974
The Bank closed in
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