THE Thames Advertiser. Favour to none; Fear of none; Justice to all. THURSDAY, JANUARY 17, 1895. QUEER DOINGS IN AUCKLAND.

Thames Advertiser, Volume XXVI, Issue 8024, 17 January 1895, Page 2

THE Thames Advertiser. Favour to none; Fear of none; Justice to all. THURSDAY, JANUARY 17, 1895. QUEER DOINGS IN AUCKLAND.

In another column appears a telegram from Auckland refei .'iug to the Auckland Sa'v'ngs Bank, and the attempt of an Auckland ring to ga'n undue' influence upon the Board of Trustees. That it is to the advantage of such an institution as the South British Company to have a voice on the Board ot Directors will be seen when it is mentioned that the Savings Bank lends a great portion of its money on mortgage, and as mortgagees have to ensure against fire, tho Board has it in its power to place business in the way of a favouriteinstance company. ' There is another advantage—the South British is also a lending institution; and it must bo of great nse to the directors of that company to know the clients of a kindred institution, and how much money is in the market, and upon what terras it is being lent./ i

It would appear that live of thedf 'ieotors of the South British not being content with possessing the knowledge referred to, and which to be utilised would have to bo retailed to the manager of their company, determined to save themselves thit trouble, by having their genoral manager himself upon the Board of Trustoes. ( Very nice arrangement for the South British; and what about tho interests of tho Sayings Bank and its reputation in tho public mind? One would have thought that after the experience of the late run on the Bank that the Trustees would have been extremely cautious, and allow nothing which could be constructed to bo jobbery to touch the management.

It is well-known that more thun one public institution has boon run to suit moro the convenience and the pockets of a clique or ring of individuals fin for tho general welfare.

Tho South British ring are looked upon as good business mon in the city. A reference to tho namos of the directors will verify this statement. Mr Upton, the chairman of tho company, has tho reputation of being a very keen man of business, particularly whoro his oV .i concerns are at stake. Mr Poacock and Mr Batgor will not be accused by any. one> knowing them of being unable " > look after themselves In fact, notwithstanding the remonstrances of several leading shareholders, tho directors of the South British increased their own honorarium, and without a resolution of a meeting, although tho reduction of tlin honorarium was proposed and i irried at a lime when tho affairs of the company were not flourishing. That was about the fcimo when the capital was written down, and the reforms recommended by the late general managor carried into oflecb. This action of tho directors will bo sufficient to show that they can look after their own interests.

Mr James Kirker, at one time inspector of branches (or the company, now general manager, has the repntation of being wise in his generation, nud is said to owe his advancement to the striking ability he displayed in showing how faulty was fcho management of his former chief, and this too in fcho nbsenrio of Mr Johnston; and also in part to some J judicious investmont in freehold land. It cannot, however, be much of a fuult in a man if he sees a bargain going and avails himself of the chance, even it a director be the seller. It, however, shows it is always wise for a man to give

the preference to a friend when buying a home and laud

Mr Kirkor then is a good business man, and if on the Board of Trustes of the Savings Bank would be useful. He would not forget the training he has had. These matters are referred to in order to show the good character of the South British directors, and afc once gives the reason why the company is progressing, and its sharos advancing on the market, The question arises v?aa it wise for the directors of the South British "to attempt to get their general manager on the Board of Trustees, and will the Government be wise if they accept the nominated of tho Board? To both questions wo answer—Nj; unless the Board in one casd desires to destroy the prestige of tho Bank, and the Government on the other fishes to socure an argument why 'ho Shifts: Bank should be abolished and absorbed in the Post Office Savings Bank.

of the last session gives the Govqrjtitgent power to close Savings Banks,,and more unlikely things have happened than the closing of such an ojd Institution as the Auokland Saving, Panic owing to the indiacretiona of ; .the Board of Management. We hope that the publicity given to the latesji, povo of a ce-tain number of men In Auckland will prevent any fu 'ther attem jitp to keep the management of the Bank jn a few hands, and that such a worthy.jUsefnl, and respectable institution. wi|| pot be injured by the selfishness of a few men.