The Public Trust Office in Stratford was designed by T.H. Bates and exhibits the best of Bates' decorative Art Deco bas-reliefs based on Māori design elements. It was completed in June 1924 and described in some detail by the Hawera & Normanby Star.
A substantial pediment originally topped the facade - visible in the two 1920s photographs above. This was removed in 1935 after earthquake concerns generated by the Napier earthquake in 1931.
The facade was substantially modernized at the same time. The work was carried out by Mr F. Whittaker with Bates again responsible for the alterations. (Stratford Evening Post 15 January 1935 p.4)
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