BANKIKG RETURNS.

Otago Witness, Volume 01, Issue 2123, 1 November 1894, Page 17

BANKIKG RETURNS.

The following are the Bank returns for the September quarter, compared with those of the i two preceding quarters : —

Surplus of assets over liabilities ... 2,777,205 2,a?2,411 2,462,413 The changes are by no means as considerable as might hare been expected as a result of the startling legiilation of 30th June, when the £2,000,000 guarantee to the Bank of New Zealand was sprung upon the country in one night, and of tbe subsequent failure of the amalgamation scheme. It ii true the figures are the averages for the quarter, and not the actual balances at 30th September ; but the difference of the actual state on that date could not be very large. The total reduction in deposits at interest was only £29,000, aud at call £252,000 ; and taking the banks separately, the figures are as follow, adding deposits of both kinds together : — The Bank ot New Zealand shows a reduction of £147,000, the Colonial Bank a reduction of only £23,000, the Bank of Australasia a redaction of £4.6,000, the National Bank a reduction of £17,000, the Bank of New South Wales a reduction of £31,000, and the Union Bank an increase of £11,000, so that all the banks save one suffered more or less, and probably certain timid people have drawn out and hoarded their money. The total, however, is by no means alarming. The reserves of gold have meantime been considerably strengthened, and now reach the large total of £3,062,498, an increase of £307,000, of which increase £133,000 was held by the Bank«f New Zealand, £104,000 by the Union Bank, and £54,000 by the Colonial Bank. Thus, every precaution ha« been taken, and til's present returns should do much to establish confidence. The advances decreased by £233,000 and the not? circulation by £82,000, a very unfavourable sign for the state of business, but a reduction in the liabilities of the banks. It may fairly be hoped that during the current quarter things will settle down to a normal condition and that the feeling of un«aaines« which has prevailed will disappear. The money raised in London by the Bank of New Zealand will shortly be available in the colony and the Government will doubtless raise further sums under the legislation of last session, so that in a few months the money market should be easy. The following are the banking returns for the quarter ended September 30 (shillings aad penoe being omitted) : —

i 2, 5* a w i O 9 Ml;, «> I' r £ ' 4 I i 6 i~* i"* -^ I 1 •3 9 fi 00 H P fcH t-« 55 oo J- » 4! O n <h a Ol W M tb s 1 .w. w ,H, H .w. w j» ." i" te c s- & a s » ,H M {0 JO P» W -a o "i W Co So m & o* S 55 •. » s m J4 55 E3 m ?o o is "-J h» fn I

September Quarter 1894. Deposits— £ At interest... P. 367,427 At call 4.04J.4R9 Government 462,645 June Quarter 1894. £ 9,477,739 " 4,247,959 398,852 March Quarter 1894. £ 9,539,976 4,150,711 4(33,068 Totals ... 13,872,5*1 14,124,550 14,153,755 AdvancesDiscounts ... 1,982,681 Other advances ... 9,629,122 2,039,107 9,815,123 2,190,503 10,032,396 •Totals ... 11,611,806 11,854,230 12,228,899 Government securities ... 108,000 108,014 93,293 Other securities 2,221,744 2,217,973 2,210,287 Notes in circulation ... 877,440 959,421 975,525 Coin and bullion held ... 3,062,498 Assets... ...17,595,820 Liabilities ... 14,818,615 2,755,465 17,534,002 15,151,591 2,546,804 17,680,125 15,217,712