The Banking Enquiry.

Feilding Star, Volume XVIII, Issue 44, 20 August 1896, Page 2

The Banking Enquiry.

(Per Press Association.) Wellington, August 19. At the Banking Committee this morning, Mr Watson said he could give no further information with regard to the draft transaction in connection with Ward's account. Witness said if tbe Colonial Bank had refused to sell a strong bid would have been made for the National Bank. John Murray thought the Bank of New Zealand should acquire both the Colonial and National Banks, and make one strong Bank of the three. Witness declined to say whether the " C " list had been debited with certain amounts last year. This Day. At the Banking Committee to-day Mr Watson said he believed Mr Henry McKenzic was quite the best man available in the colony for the position of General Manager of the Bank of New Zealand. Besides, there was a moral obligation upon the directors to appoint Mr McKcnzie as ho had always been led to believe he would receive the appointment. Witness would not have exercised his power of veto in the case of the appointment of any other man than Mr McKenzie without consulting the Government. Witness was examined at great Jengfcb as to t.lie transfer of the Bank of New Zealand shares before a call was made. He declared the directors were well satisfied with all these exchanges.