The Invercargill Times. WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 3, 1864.

Southland Times, Volume III, Issue 38, 3 February 1864, Page 2

The Invercargill Times. WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 3, 1864.

It is with ruucli satisfaction we hai the establishment of a new bank amongst us, not merely that by more competition in that business, the public will obtain greater accommodation, larger facilities for carrying on a legitimate trade; — that a class (the stockowner) hitherto little accommodated by the banks, owing to the demand for their capital in discounting, will be more likely to meet with liberal treatment j — that the small settler with ample security to offer, will probably not be forced into the hands of a third party, and find that the assistance afforded ta dearly purchased : but that the bank is a local one, its interests identical with our own, its progress measured in the same bushel, its for^ tunes commingled ; launched in the same boat, each is bound to assist the other — with us they rise or fall. The difference therefore to us between such a bank, and one whose head quarters are in another colony, must naturally be great. The interests of the latter are not only not identical, but sometimes antagonistic with our own. If a brauch is sent across from Australia, the place is looked upon more as a species of hunting-ground ; the tent pitched, the interest taken is measured by the results of the chase ; should they prove satisfactory, well; if. however, th(-re be v temporary lull, the interest slackens — occasionally the tent is struck. Nor is it surprising that such should be the case ; long established in Australia, originally started there, the majority of the shareholders residing there, any branches in other colonies must he looked upon as subservient to the great parent tree ; these offshoots are to support it ; should they cease to do so, they cease to do that ior which they were intended. The Bank of New Zealand is a good instance of the advantages derived from local institutions of this description , short a time as it has been here the public has felt the benelit; many a man has had cause to be thankful that New Zealand had sufficient energy and pluck to establish a bank of its own and render the colony independent of our neighbors. The confidence reposed in the colonists has not been misplaced ; the last half-yearly dividend is a satisfactory proof of this ; and notwithstanding fresh competition from Australia, we have no doubt its business aud profits will increase. We have now about to be established amongst us a local bank in every sense of the term. Though the head office i« to be in Otago, the distance is so short, the means of communication, even without the telegraph, so frequent and certain, that no inconvenience ou this account is likely to be felt; more particularly after having experienced the delays resulting from the majority of the branches here having to communicate with the head offices in Australia. Nor is Lhis the only advantage gained, is any slackness in business anticipated, the com muni cation, made to the Inspector at he, id quarters brings back instructions to draw in. Whether such be necessary or not ; whether such a course would create the very mischief which was threatened; whether a different policy would avert ir, — the Inspector thinks it die safest for the bank; at any rate, it will give him the least trouble. Personally unacquainted wiih the resources of tlu place, the peculiar circumstances which have caused a temporary lull after a more than ordinary briskness, he does not care to follow the suggestions or advice of the Local Manager should they direct liberal measures; such are put down as resulting either from want of sharpness, or local partialities ; the fiat issues from Australia — " secure the bank/ Such a course is to be the more deprecated, inasmuch as a raon tary crisis is generally the result of too great accommodation afforded by the banks themselves in prosperous times. The fish has been allowed full play, occasionally, perhaps, a gentle pull has been given — the prelude to p»yiug p out a more than ordinary umouut of line — till suddenly he is hauled up high und dry. The process is amusing to watch, — -when one does uot happtm to bo the victim. There arc two Inspectors, the quo tile "Oily Gammon," to do the agreeable in prosperous rJmo?, tojfpuy oiii the line ] the other the " Snap," to haul in. After sU— although ii as (Hsagrefcaela to be operated on—one can* not wonder ut such a policy being pursued. This is not their abiding place, there ttfs no local shareholders, and it is the duty of' the Directors to protect, them. It is huittuti nature, let us cavil at it us we will, With a local bank it is different \ its interest is, not merely the safety of thy shareholders, but of the place itself j they require to pull in their -fish also, but it is done with great oave j the anxiety being not only th.it the Hae should nvi bs smashed, bus that thy fish is not; smeiahed either. Ula oti tha ; eve of a itnonotury ofiai* that the full udvan* litegß of local bufiUaifl'iw«ev!tiinedj,ttnd Hit-only to such bunks '-we must look for safety when risqUnll euro ess on. A crisis aan eiiaiiy be averted by jticiiciatts Byiiaaiiffient 1 ., nnd It K tlte interest .of loeel iustitutiana bo tcHuatiugei ; '1% .jjaufc of Qwtgo atftrt3 uncle? peou« Jiarly iuVuWbla circumstance., ■•■"Vvith \\ $rßt*eluajL dh'SPtwy' a& home and ugc nts in th^coldni??} is &raa Southland ta soß^iiefi a position ■■ Has bwruu sugy mmtii ■hf:':&MMs-:. ty& Ctov.gf nitteht. üßcßUHtji: ;%<s ihtf iiv^tMit'iii ". o£ the

London, and doubtless liave a favorable effect on the shares, which it is stated are already at a premium in the market. Though the head-quarters are in Dunedin, taking these circumstances into consideration, it will be even more a Southland Bank. They have also had the good fortune to secure as manager, Mr. Jamieson; late of the Bank of New South Wales. To an intimate knowledge ot' k the business of acquired as Manager of ths Bank of New South Wales, and general ability as a Banker, Mr, Jamieson conjoins a larger degree of personal friendship and respect than fails to the lot of most men. We wish the Bank of Otago every success. *>

To amuse a number of people for hours, to keep in roars of laughter, during a whole night, a large audience ; to continue to do so, night after night, without palling, is a decided talent ; one not possessed by many. Comedy is generally more popular with the masses than Tragedy ; it is not only that the ordinary run of men prefer laughing to crying ; to have their feelings tickled in preference to their being harrowed ; but that Comedy treats more of every day incidents ; appeals at once to our senses rather than our intellect ; there is no strain on the brain requisite to understand what is pouftrayed, to enter into the feelings and passions of the situation. It is not every one who can realise Macbeths' feelings on hearing the witch-prophecy, the conscience startled at the shadow of the crime so soon to be committed ; the war between honor, gratitude, and the better feelings of the man with pride, ambition, ! and all his darker nature ; the sterner j more determined nature of the woman, j urging the commission of the crime, | who, womanlike having decided, throws | aside all doubt or hesitation, marches on firmly, unflinchingly, to the final catastrophe — dares eA'erything. But [ there are few who would not appreciate the Westminster burlesque of this play — few who would not enjoy [ such a scene as that where Macbeth j and Banquo, sitting under an umbrella J in a shower, the former exclaims — " Come now confess my noble fellow, How lucky t'was I brought (lie umbrella!" The latter answering — v Don't you endeavour to forget my noble pippiu, That you keeps dry, and I gets all the drippin !" Few can understand the character of Hamlet ; • fewer still who would not laugh at the burlesque of it. Of all aspirants to catering for the public amusement — of keeping up the interest, presenting at the shortest notice a fresh dish, we have heard none superior to Thatcher, — few to equal him. Almost single-handed, he nightly draws full houses, and unceasingly amuses. Wherever he pitches Iris camp, success is sure to follow ; all classes frequent his theatre, and all are amused. The boxes laugh, the pit ] applauds ; the same audiences hear him over and over again, and always ■find something new to excite their risible organs. His quickness in seizing the salient points of his characters, his grasp of the subject are something astonishing. To a keen sense of humour is joined an intimate knowledge of human nature, a sharpness of observation which enable him, in an astonishingly short space of time to acquaint himself with the peculiarities or eccentricities of the prominent characters in any town he may arrive at ; to seize and make food for mirth any incident of the hour. If not exactly an improvimtorc, he is a very good imitation of one. AYe have known him in half an hour compose, lea.m by heart, and sing a song on a subject entirely new to him, picking out all that was humorous in it. He is happy in his I humour ; his manner and deli very, nay, i his very figure assists him ; the impersonation of good humour himself, the ; object of his satire feels disarmed by the genial smile of the hnmorist, the rollicking jollity of his voice. He has been well christened the Inimitable, for we do not believe he has a rival in his own particular line in these colonies. j Obj ecti on has been taken to Thatcher as being too personal ; using too freely the names of those entitled from their position and character to pur respect and esteem, Undoubtedly it would be a higher order of ability, which, without mentioning names, could, by the representation of its peculiarities,' bring the characters beiore the audience., so life like, as to ensure reeogniti.on-»but this requires besides the Ability of the aetory intelligence on the part of his auditors ; we fancy, however good the impersonation, many of the best, hits would prove niißsea ; cm the whole, "Thatcher's sn.ccess in best assured by his present course. AYe are ' inclined to think, also, that he has become a little, more particular in his mode of expression, We do not think that now he: 'would i sipply bo low a siMbriguet as : " guts too. gaiters " to any ojie, much more to fto office? . jii;!ftrpo»tiott such ;a8 the i gentlemanlike some time ismce'fto de* gignftted; .AYfrsn, Tiiatqkkb . visited C'-'Witai-'buyy, the J^rc^ while ackiioW" ledging' to ability, ■■ ■ftdintotep«s; 'acU vise on this pomt, which w-ftua glad to »ee.r'he.v : -'/-hati had the good sense to adopt j his humour 'is ivot tha "less #i%wtnt: ior relished because it- is; RtoftiMj the. grounds being letfli Ovvt of the ateli .^jfesQOfiedi Jsyss oil© K&efl :to,.lmye^ jpkM& Ms &qpettss of aji^'s fttteud j Qveit the wife of erne's hdspwv.^aU laugh heavily ■'it hej? lord's espsuge-^to, he ftblqtpdo m pWicl^ gMpg .i©s to S'4'r mA B»tfths?§ h , a. lm:%ypM whk!\# k impolitic to go j wse «id? te wl^ wliQ iomi 1$ ' : u^Jleftßa |^s Ib^Mis

-course. H& has^tindoubtedly afpower,. andiises it good humoredly. Above all, 1 1 not only does he not invade the privacy ' of life, but he is free from the imputation of grossness, the great failing of men in his position. It is so much easier to excite the bad than the better part ' of our nature ; the impurity of the coal-hole is not the atmosphere in which Thatcher de- , lights ; the mest delicate female ear need not be shocked. In this he rises superior to the Sharp and Sa^e Cowell school. TiiATcnER is also a great institution, — more particularly in the colonies. The dearth of amusement in all young rising towns, is .a source of frequent complaint. The population is not large enough to support the expensive paraphernalia of a theatre. To such TnATCHEXt is an inestimable boon. He travels in light marching order. Twelve hours after he arrives, and he is walking into the 1 pockets and feelings of the community. All he requires is the largest room in the place. He is as amusing before a green baize curtain as before the finest scene ever painted. It is the man not his accessories, which delights. To the population of such towns, a visit from him forms an era in their existence. His advent is hailed with delight, his departure regretted. So long as he carries his head on his shoulders, i Thatcher can open the world's oyster without assistance. ~We trust he will remain some time longer with us, and when he goes we wish him every success.