French Capitalists.

Auckland Star, Volume XXVIII, Issue 17, 21 January 1897, Page 6

French Capitalists.

LOOKING FOR GOOD PROPERTIES,

Those engaged in goldmining enterprises in the colony will be interested in the arrival in Wellington, of Monsieur Jules Strap, a member of the French Institute of Civil Engineers, and special representative for Australia and New Zealand of a wealthy and highly - influential financial Association, La Banque Francaise De L'Afrique Dv Sud, otherwise the French Bank of South Africa. According to the "New Zealand Times," Monsieur Strap left Paris in July last, and has been, until a month ago, actively engaged in investigating the opportunities offered by the Coolgardie and other Western Australian goldfields for the profitable employment of French capital. The Bank which he represents has a paid-up capital of no less than two millions sterling, and its directors include gentlemen who are members of tbe mosb influential financial circles in Paris and tbe provinces. Founded originally with tbe intention of confining its operations to South African mines, the Bank has now extended its scope, and has representatives in the Western States of America. It has recently equipped and sent oub a special prospecting expedition to the island of Madagascar, and is moving in other directions with a view of discovering profibable investment for,the capital which ab present cannob find sufficiently remunerative employment in France. Monsieur Strap informs the "Times " thab, while to some extent working in conjunction with capitalists in London, the main object of the Bank ieto open up connection direct with the British colonies possessing goldfields, and to pub properties acquired directly on the French markeb Without any expensive intervention on the part of London financial '* middlemen." He proposes to make a lengthy stay in New Zealand, and proceeds shorbly to Greymoubb, where he will take up hia headquarters, and make a thorough investigation of the facilities and opportunities offered by the West Coast mines for the employment of the capital provided by his principals, or by the companies they may float and financ.. He also informed the "Times" thab another representative of the Bank, Monsieur Gaacoel, is at present engaged in making a tour of inspection of the northern goldfields, and that, as a result ot their joint labaura, ehould their investigations prove satisfactory, it ia extremely probable that before long a very substantial amount of eapibal will bo invesbed in New Zealand mining enterprises.