INTRODUCING FRENCH CAPITAL.

Otago Witness, Issue 2237, 14 January 1897, Page 8

INTRODUCING FRENCH CAPITAL.

I A MIBSION OF INVESTIGATION. i There has just arrived in Wellington (says ! the New Zealand Times) a French, gentleman I whose mission to this colony is one of considerable interact to those* engaged in the gold raining industry. We allude to Monsieur Jules Strap, a member of the French Institute of Civil Engineer?, and special representative for Australia and N»w Zealand of a wealthy and highly influential financial association, to wit. La lisnqne Frarc*ise do L'Afrique dv Sad, otherwise tbe French Biink of South Afrie*. Tbrouijh tho kind offloes of the Cnuub D'Abb^ns, the French consul, v representative of thin journal yesterday had th» pleatare of tovao conversation with Monsieur Sfcrup, aud requested and received from that gentleman some information as to his mission to these colonies. Monsieur Strap informed our representative that he left Paris in July last, and has been until a month ago actively, engaged in investigating the opportunities offered by tbe Coolgardia and other Western goldflflds for the profitable, employment of French capital. The b,vuk whioh he represents has, he informs as, a paid-up capital ot no less thin £2,000.000 sterling, and its directors include gentlemen who are mambern of tho most influential financial circles in Paris and (he provinces. The chairman of directors, Monni^nr Herbanx, was formerly chairman of the Paris Stook Exchange, aod resigned that position ia order | to take up the one he now ocouoies in coDnec- ! fcion with this bank. Monnieur Duvat, another director, is * director of tbo famous Fives-Lille . Compnny, which practically controls and exploits the bulk of the beet sugar output of the Ncrth of France, Mid is one of t;ho wealthiest flnauctnl corporations in the Republic Other directors are connected with the Cauxville Ironworks and similar wealthy undertakings. Founded originally wifch the intension of confining its operations to • -South African mines, tho bank has now extended ifcs scope, and has representatives iv the Western States of America. It bas recently equipped and «enfc out. a facial prospecting expedition to the itland of Madugawwr, s»ndi« moving iv other directions with a view of dit-covi.ring' profitable investment for thti capital whioh s>fc p^eserit cannot Hud sufficiently remunerative employment in France. Monsieur Strap further informs us fehafc while 1 to some extent working in conjunction with capitalists in London, the main object of the bank is to open up connection direct with the British colonies v,(.\3rf»3i>ii)g goldflelds, and to put; ttis properties acquired directly on the French market without any expensive intervention on the part of the London financial "middlemen." He proposes to make a lengthy stay in New Zealand, and proceeds shortly to Greymouth, where bo will take up his h>iv7qnarters and make a thorough investigation of the facilities and opportunities offered by the West Coasb mines tor the employment; of capital provided by his principals or by the companies they may float and finance. He also informs uj that: another representative of the bank, Monsieur Gascoel, is afc present engaged in making a . tour of inspection of the northern go!dn>lds, aud thai; as a result of their joint labour*. »hou)d their investigations prove AAtisfAcbory c ifc is extremely probable that before lonff a very substantial amount of capital will be in* vested in New Zealand mining enterprises. We may add that ib was largely 'owing to the ] defcauilod and careful reports sent to France by the Count D'Abbans that the directors of- the hauk decided upon the afeep they have taken in sending out a special representative to inspect; and further report upon out goldflelds. Monsieur Strap gave us also the agreeable information that his instructions include the investigation of other fields for financial enterI prise besides the mining industry. Wherever he oan discover a profitable outleb for the investment of French capital, whether in mining or nofc, he will report thereon. His visit will, we trust, be productive of much real and practical benefit to the colony.

The Glencorn Preabyfcery. New South Wales, ha* aenfc a letter to the Auckland Presbytery intimating that the call to the Rev. J. Burgess, of Kiams, by SO. Andrew's Church, Auckland; -URB been set *Mdc, which means thafe he cannot accept the call. He has also declined a call to CnaJmers Churoh, Sydney, of which his brother-in-law, Mr Milne, of Oamarn, was recently pastor. Mrs Nevill wishes gratefully to acknowledge the following gifts for Sr. Mary's Orphanage:— From Mr P. C. Neill, 1 box maizuna and 1 box raiains ; Mr Alex. Thoni3on, 3 dozen lemonade and 3 dozen giuger ale ; Phoenix Company, 1 tin biscuits, 1 tin confectionery, 6 glass jars strawberry j.nu, 3 jars raspberry jam, and 1 tin currants ; J. lUttray and Son, 1 box tea and 1 bag sugar ; Mr C. Ziele, 1 box soap and 1 box. candles ; Scoulac and Co. (Jefcfcy street), 1 mat sugar ; Mackerras and Hazlefct, 1 sack oatmeal ; , A. S. Paterson, 2 bags sagar ; A. Btiscoe aud Co., 1 caee kerosene and 1 box tea ; Ketrns, Wilson, and Co., 1 tin coffee ; National Mortgage Company, 1 sack flour ; C. Bufcterworta. 1 picca hollftnd ; Brown, Ewiog, and Co., 1 piese dress material ; Mr Sargood, 1 piece of flannelette; Bing, Harris, and Co., 1 piece calico ; Roas and Glendining, 1 roll flannel ; ■ Bates, Sise, and Co., 1 box cornflour ; Sooolar | Bros, and Co., 1 bag rica ; Friends, 1 parcel ■ toys and lof books. ; Mr Kelk, cake and lollies ; I Mrs Simpson, cake ; Mr Moore, side of lamb ; Miss Smith, doll's frock and 2 baskets ; Mrs Beaumont, scrap book and cards ; Irvine and Stevenson, Christmas Duddinic : Mr Braifcb," ' waite, dock.