THE BANK OF NEW ZEALAND AND MR BRIDGES.

Evening Star, Issue 3955, 28 October 1875, Page 3

THE BANK OF NEW ZEALAND AND MR BRIDGES.

At the Lank of Now Zealand’s half-yearly meeting at Auckland, yesterday, reference was made to the Government account, and to Mr Bridges’s evidence before the Public Accounts Committee. The Chairman (Mr Stone) said the p >Baession, by the Bank, of the Government account had caused such jealousy that, should die Government submit the account to tender, the Bank would not feel aggrieved. No doubt, if the account were to remain at present, as during the t ast six months, there would be good reason to make it an object of desire, but that condition is far from being the normal condition of that account, and it may well be appreh-nded whether it will long remain in such state a* to make it an object of envy as of late. The Chairman then referred Mr Bridges’s evidence with surprise, iV l Btr ‘>hg condemnation. Wr _b. Whitaker also entered at considerable length into Mr Bridges’s charges. He said, with reference to the Port Chalmers railway, that the matter was one that Mr Bridges could have no knowledge of. He further said it was asserted that it was resol vi d by the Bank to turn out the Ministry of Mr Weld and put in Mr Stafford, and so they came to the expressed determination that they would make no advance to Mr Weld. The accusations were in a general interest, but were as a specific charge against Mr Russell of hav ing said this in so many words, at a meeting. Of course the refutation of this charge must be hf uto Hr liursell himself; but for his own pare he cor.ld say, on his honor, that har ing been the confidential adviser of the Bank for fourteen ycais he had nevtn once known tile influence of tne Bank used for political purpo--.es, and it was impossible that it could have been so used without his knowledge. Mr Hussell, be was sure, would feel it the highest of impropriety to advise such a cour-e, and this charge, ns well as the first, he felt morally certain was totally unfounded throughout. During the whole of his (Mr Whittaker’s) connection with the Bank he could recollect no action of which he was ashamed Having had such close knowledge of the Bank’s affairs, and having been lately a spectator of the proceedings at Wellington, he had taken the opportunity of affording this explanation.