THE SAVINGS OF THE PEOPLE.

Te Aroha News, Volume VI, Issue 335, 19 January 1889, Page 5

THE SAVINGS OF THE PEOPLE.

It Is pleasant to notice that the accumulations in the post-office savings banks con" tinue to indicate a large amount of solid prosperity among the industrial classes. The total amount to the credit of depositors at the close of 1888 was nearly £40,000 more than at the end of 1887. The figures, for which we are indebted to the Chief Postmastei*, areas fellow :—: —

A meeting of the Whangarei County Council was held in the Council Chambers on Friday last, the lllhinst., when there was a full attendance of member a. Accounts were passed for payment amounting to £396, to contractors and others. Tenders were received for various works in different parts of the county, and the lowest tender accepted in every case. A meeting of the District School Committee was held on Saturday, 12th inst. Two members Avere nominated for the Board of Education. "Various motions were passed referiing to the working of the school, and other important business disposed of, chiefly of a routine character. As a sign of improvement in the prospects of the district it may be noted that a great many young people, and some old ones, are getting married. Tbi3 must be looked upon as full of promise for our future. — (Correspondent.) A case which could only take place in America, and which attracted a great deal of attention, was cried in the District Court in Sherman, Texas, recently, and contained features of sadness and romance. Several months ago James McCowan, a railroad man, while apparently in a spasm of rage, attempted to kill his young wife at the Blanchard Hotel, where they boarding, by cutting her throab with a knife. He was lodged in gaol, and in a short time his wife obtained a divorce. Ho was arraigned in Court to have his case investigated, and while he was on his trial his wife was married to another man, and a few months after her marriage appeared on the witness stand, attired' in her bridal costume, to testify against her former husband who had attempted to take her life. McCowan was remanded to prison to wait final trial on the charge of insanity, which will set aside the former charge of assault with intent to murder.

MONEY ORDER AND SAVINGS BANE TRANSACTIONS. 1887. 1888. (Shillings and pence are omitted.) £ £ Money orders issued .. .. 100,150 96,499 Money orders paid 107,426 114,770 Savings Bank deposits . 158,255 205,861 Savings Bank withdrawals 147,750 176,665 Balances at credit of depositors on 31st December 221,579 260,611 Interest credited to depositors . .. . ; . 8,277 9,838 Numbers of Transactions. 1887. 1888 Money orders issued . .. 27,939 27,93b Money orders paid .. 29,706 32,794 Savings Bank deposits 14,554 15,487 Savings Bank withdrawals 11.523 11,837 New accounts opened . .. 2,484 2.482 Accounts closed . .. 2,023 2,263 Number of accounts remaining open on 31stDecember. . 9,672 9,891 Postal notes paid, 1887 £10,518 7 0 Do. 1888 . 12,861 2 6