BANK OF NEW ZEALAND.

Greymouth Evening Star, Volume XXXI, 15 February 1901, Page 3

BANK OF NEW ZEALAND.

Half-yearly Meet ng

(per press association.)

Wellington, February 15.

At the hi meeting of the Dank of New Zea nd, Blair presided. There was a large '.endanco of shareholders. The Chairman said that owing to it being a statutory meeting no accounts would be presented. Ho went on to say that the hopes held out by him at the anuual meeting for the future of tho bank had occasioned largo purchases in shares, a result ho had not anticipated as he only intended his remark to bo a hint to tho shareholders and not thrown away in shares- Ho intimated that from tomorrow transfers of shares etc., which had hitherto been executed free, would havo to bear the burden of-2s Gd for each transfer.

With reference to the Bank's position, he was glad to say his forecast at the annua! mooting was likely to be realised.

Blair continuing iaid that tho business had been extensive, and tho bank was in a very prosperous condition. Ho could not give the definite figures. That during the half-year tho public had shown every confidence in the bank, tho deposits having increased by over i£6OO,COO. Advances too had been largely increased, probably by £300,000. Tho colony he said was never in a more pro-perous condition than now, and ho refered to the increase of products, every new one of which had its influence on the stability of the colony as well as on the Bank. The markets in South Africa offered a splendid opportunity for producers, which he thought would if they could only teiminate the war. Ho said at tho last meeting ho had mentioned that he did not think land values would be maintained, but experience did not supp ort his opinion. As showing the condition of tho colony he declared that a largo amount of bank business, now cash, where formorcly it was on credit.

W. Watson, was on a ballot, re elected a director, and the meeting then terminated.