RANGITIKEI-OROUA NOTES.

Wanganui Chronicle, Issue 12889, 23 July 1913, Page 6

RANGITIKEI-OROUA NOTES.

(From our Own Correspondent.) MARTON, July 22. Tho train from Taihape arrived at Martan Junction* this morning about twenty minutes late, having "encountered several small slips on tho route Mr. Alf. Fraser, late Town Clerk or Foxton, was tho recipient.of a presentation from the Mayor and Councillors before finally severing his connection with tho Borough. The Mayor, in. making tho presentation, referred to the esteem in which Mr. Fraser was held by tho Council and burgesses, both as n Town Clerk and also as a citizen. Mr. Fraser's connection with the Council extended .over a period of seventeen years, two years as Councillor, ono as Mayor, v.nd 14 as Town ClerkMi-. Stiles v eulogised his work in his official capacity, and said he was sure tho position could not have been bettinfilled. Ho asked him tor accept a sil-ver-mounted travelling writing-case, as ji memento of the time he had spent m tho Council's employ. Mr. Fraser returned thanks for the very kind remarks that had been made and also for tho handsome presentation.

MARTON BANKINGS

HALF-YEAR'S TRANSACTIONS. DECREASE IN SAVINGS. Are th o people of Marton thrifty ? This question may be asked with profit ju view of the Post Office Savings Bank Transactions for the half year ending •luno 30, particulars of which are now' available. It is a singular thing, but it is nevertheless true, that Marton's financial transactions for the first half of this year h!av c not been so big as for th© corresponding period of 1912. Take first of all, money-order work. In 1912 951 orders were issued, whilst an I'Jl3 tho number increased to 1092, a balance in favour of this year of 141 orders. The value is also in favour ot 19LS, being £4388 Gs Id., as against £23716 19,s 4d. As regards money orders paid, there were 767 during JanuaryJuno 1913, valued at £3881 7s 2d, as -igainst 80(5, value £4256 4s Bd, during the corresponding period of 1912.

Coming to the Savings Bank deposits, I find there is rather a decrease all round, and the reason for the same is very hard to assign. , Take first of ail the accounts opened. It is always a healthy sign when new accounts are being opened, but in the case of Marton there were ten fewer in 1913 than in 1912, the respective figures being 161 and 171. On tlie other hand, tho number of deposits" shows an increase of 103 in 1913, the respective numbers being 1336 and 1233. The amount deposited, however, shows a decrease of £2857 IGs Bd, the value of deposits in 191,2 amountjing to £16,915 ll|s 3d., whilst in 1913 the value "was only £1 f 027 14s 7d. The reason for such a difference is very hard to determine, but it may be that as money lias been so scarce, a number of investors took advantage, of the high rates of interest obtaining, and diverted their savings into other channels rather than accept the low rate at tho Savings Bank. Furthermore, no fewer than 52 accounts were closed for the half-year just ended, as again thirty during the same period in 1912. Although the number of withdrawals in 1913 exceeded those of 1912, the amount represented is not bo iarge, the respective figures being: 1913 withdrawals, 473; 1912, 405. Amount: 1013" £9811 5s lid; 1912, £12,688 15s 6d.