SAYING MORE MONEY.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLIX, Issue 15060, 1 August 1912, Page 4

SAYING MORE MONEY.

THRIFTY AUCKLAND PEOPLE SAVINGS BANK . BUSINESS. In spite of the allegation often made that the people of Auckland are not as thrifty as those in other parts of New Zealand, the figures gleaned by a Heeald representative yesterday go to show that they are'.becoming more and more careful in the saving of their money. The business done at the Post Office Savings Bank is a good indication of the prosperity of the residents of any particular centre, and it would appear that the citizens of Auckland have much more money to save this year than last.

A large number of Auckland people have deposits in the Auckland Savings Bank, bin taking the figures for the Post Office Bank alone . it will be seen that Auckland leads in the increase in the number of deposits made, comparing the same two quarters. The following table shows the increases in number at the four centres

The number of new 1 accounts opened in Auckland during the quarter just ended was no less than 5186, an increase of 704 over the same period in 1911. This is a very large increase, necessitating a great deal more work on tho part of the postal officials! The increases in the other centres are not so large, Wellington having 328 new depositors, Christchurch 122, and Dunedin 141. The fact that tho new depositors in Auckland havo comparatively small sums in the bank appears to be an indication that they comprise people of very moderate means who are taking more interest in the saving of a little money each week. This opens up tho subject of what class of people do the most business with the Post Office Savings Bank, and tlio following table shows that the institution is in great demand amongst the poorer class in Auckland. The figures given are tho number of Auckland depositors with the bank on December 31 last, together with approximate range of their deposits:—

The authorities have put every convenience in tho way of every resident desirous of saving more money, and some time ago instituted the homo bank system, whereby persons so desiring could purchase from any savings bank a miniature safe for the sum of sa, and when he wished, the thrifty one could transfer his savings at home to an account at the bank. Now, even the moderate sum of 5s has been reduced to 2s, and the person taking a home bank opens an account with this sum, and also receives his money-box.

From July, 1911, to the present time, 1550 home safes were issued in the Auckland district, and this number would have been considerably larger if the Government's supply had not run out just a month ago. The safes are manufactured in America, and it is anticipated that a ilew shipment of some hundreds will arrive in a few weeks' time. All along, however, there has been a steady demand for the safes, and it is expected that the new supply will quickly be exhausted.

June Qr., Jane Qr., 1911. 3912. Increase. Auckland ... 35,462 41,878 6,416 Wellington ... 46,130 51,099 4,969 Christ church ... 34,610 37,413 2,808 Dunedin ... ... 25,917 26,167 250 The following table shows the increase in the number of Withdrawals during the two periods mentioned:— June Qr., June Qr., 1911. 1912. Increase. Auckland ... 25,792 28,142 2,350 Wellington ... 30,276 31,222 946 Christchurch ... 22,613 23,038 425 Dunedin ... ... 15,448 15,106 Dec. 342

Under £20 49,404 £20 to £50 ... 6,309 £50 to £100 ... • 4,228 £100 to £200 3,778 £200 to £.300 1,645 ' £300 to £400 817 .£400 to £500 413 £500 to £600 343 Exceeding £600 538