A Glimpse of the Bank of New Zealand.

Observer, Volume 1, Issue 5, 16 October 1880, Page 36

A Glimpse of the Bank of New Zealand.

Of all tlie great commercial institutions in the colony the wealthiest and most important is the Bank of New Zealand. It literally " stinks" of gold. One cannot pass the head office, or enter its stately portals, without feeling one's exceeding poverty, and the bank's exceeding riches. Even the clerks appear Croesus's. They cash your cheques in a graceful but condescending manner, as much as to say "We handle such a lot of the 'ready' as to have got to look upon it as dross — mere dioss." The Bank of New Zealand was first opened on the 16th of October, 1861, since when its ramifications have extended to the furthest recesses of Southland. Seldom, if ever, has an institution of the kind met with such immediate and unqualified success. At the first half-yearly meeting a dividend of six per cent, was declared, and from that time the progress and prosperity of the institution have been steadily on the increase. Now, the directorate can boast branches in every settlement of importance throughout both islands, and wield an influence which* can, in the words of Bailie Nicol Jarvie, only be described as "prodeegious. " Though there is a board of directors which nominally controls th's vast concern, the real head, bones, and body is the general manager, Mr. Murdoch. To him must mainly be ascribed the extraordinary success of the bank. As an administrator, he seems to be Avell-nigh perfect, knowing the kind of clerks likely to serve the institution faithfully : placing them judiciously, and promoting them fairly. Most men holding such responsible

positions are cordially hated by their employees, and it speaks volumes for Mr. Murdoch's integrity and sense of justice that this is not so in his case. The worst thing I ever heard said of him was that "he is a hard taskmaster to his directors," and the man who made the re* mark thought, of course, he was joking. During business hours, Mr. Murdoch appears very stern and unbending, but in social circles he can, I am told, be exceedingly pleasant. The chief complaint the general manager of the Bank of New Zealand suffers from is a chronic pestilence of "letters of introduction." Hardly a day passes without some young men turning up duly accredited to him, and, as many of the people who thus claim his friendship have really no right to do s», the custom is a great nuisance to him. Mr. Murdoch told, a young man, a friend of mine, who brought him a letter not long ago, that he had received thirty or forty; similar epistles, nearly all accompanied Avith requests for employment, during the current fortnight. Next to Mr. Murdoch, the most important of the local officers is Mr. Kissling. From Avhat I can hear, this gentleman serves the bank so Avell as to be the reverse of popular. Even the employees appear to dislike him, and of the feelings of certain clients, it is better not to speak Those Avho think from this that the Bank of NeAV Zealand is sharp to its customers Avill make a great mistake. Few, if any, of the other banks are so liberal. Many a man has got to thank the institution referred to f < r saving him from the Bankruptcy Court, and enabling him to reach that tide in his affairs which, taken at the flood, has since led on to fortune. Mr. Watt, the accountant, is by far the best liked man in the bank. Handsome, jovial, and good-natured, everybody feels an affeo tion for him; in fact. "both in society and at the bank, he is a general favourite. Of the numerous "unall fry" who compose the staff of the local office, it is unnecessary to speak. They are, generally speaking, Avell-looking, presentable youths, Avho live both Avisely and well. The bank takes a fatherly interest in its employees, and has laid down a number of somewhat strict rules for their guidance. I don't propose to discuss these iioav, but, as the villian in the melodrama says, " a time will come."

[For an obvious reason, the etching of Mr. Murdoch is omitted.— Ed. Osb.]

— The youthful larrikins of Eden Crescent and its vicinage are a frightful nuisance to Gordon Gooch. He conducts a singing-class in a schoolroom, adjoining the Crown Lands Qffice, and not unfrequently the practice of unisons, seconds, thirds, etc., is varied by sundry performances on the outside of an.inharmoni* ous character.

— When Sir Arthur Gordon was coming from 'Frisco to Fiji, the mail steamer was stopped at Samoa, in order to permit of the High Commissioner landing there on business. His Excellency was very anxious to create a good impression ; so, besides -wearing the usual court dress, he threw over his shoulder the honorary D.C.L. hood, recently conferred on him in England, The effect can bp easier imagined than "described.