THE PIOUS BANK DIRECTORS.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume 2, Issue 72, 30 January 1879, Page 2

THE PIOUS BANK DIRECTORS.

The Scotch papers (says the Pall Mall Gazette) are beginning to be very com- . municative respecting the personal career, character, and claims to notice of the six gentlemen who, as directors and officers of the City of Glasgow Bank seem to have contrived to divide among themselves and their friends, and otherwise to squander very nearly seven millions of money;' and it is very edifying and instructive to find that these gentlemen were mostly distinguished for the exemplary nature of their walk and conversation. One of the most distinguished of the group, onaccount both of high moral example and the extent 'to which he helped himself and hi 3 friends to the bank's cash, was Mr Lewis Potter, a native of Scotland, and himself and relatives long connected with the City of Glasgow Bank. This gentleman, we are told, " has lived sumptuously on a beautiful estato near Edinburgh, and has taken an active part in all movements 'affecting the moral and religious welfare of the district, and was warmly attached to tho Free Church." Indeed, so warmly was he attached to. that institution that five years ago he built tho Bumbank Free Church, and became responsible.for the greater portion of tho cost of the fabric, and in consequence of this liberality has enjoyed great famo for -pious zeal and borievolence. Aslightdrawback,however, has come to light by the failure—since it now appears that the cost of tho Burbank edifice did not come out of Mr Lewis Potter's own pocket; and it is considered to be very doubtful whether, in consequence of Mr Lewis Potter's ingenious manipulation of the transaction, the shareholders of the Bank will be able to establish any lien over this ecclesiastical .asset,", So that Mr Lewis Potter furnishes one mora to tho very long roll of instance's" injwhich, asf Swift says. " There was a : riff -who of - ' " liis great bounty, built a church at the expense of tho country." But upon the special test sufficiency rectitude- to which the Scottish nation attaches the highest value—namely, the. observance of the Sabbath—Mr Lewis Potter is described as giving forth a testimony most consistent and emphatic. During all the years when, according to the Inspector's report, he actively assisted in falsifying the ac- : counts, in .making away with the cash reserve, and. in deceiving the shareholders and the public, he steadily refused to take in or read Monday's newspaper because they were printed on the first day of the, "*' week. Of Mr William Taylor, also, . another .director.of the City-.bJfvQla?gow Bank, it is remarked that he occupied a prominent position as president of.'the ' Young Men's Christian Association, and as a representative on several occasions of '■.