The ordinary half-yearly mesting of the shareholders of this Corporation was held in the Olty Hall this afternoon (18th.) There wore present:—Measre, H. L. Dalrymple (Chairman), W. Reiners, H. Hoppius, the Hon, F. B. Johnson, Messrs. A, M'iver, ¥.D. Sasssoon, M. E, Sassoon, 0. Vincent Smith, W. 8. Young, T, Jackson, the Hon.
Ryrie, Messrs. E, Georg, G. E. Noble, Balfour, W. Legge, A. Coxon, U. J. Hughes, E. George, W. H. Ray, Douglas Jones, H. N. Mody, A. D. Mactavish, Coombs, L. Fleming, 4, O'D. Gourdin, 'ALR. Blandy, J. F.C. da Roza, H. G. James, J. H. dos Ro A, G.'Stokes, 'A, M'Conachie, ©. P. Chater, J. T. Chater, H, Crawford, J, Hughes, J. ¥. V. Vernon, M'Culloch, B. Heart, G. Holliday, H Foss, and F. t. P. Foster.
The Chairman, after roading the report, anid; Gentlomen,—The report with which we come before you to-day, and which 1 have just road, will I fool sure be accepted fas very satisfactory: we have maintained our dividend and again added a goodly eum to the Reserve Fund. which now stands at 29h Incs of dollars. (Applause). A comation between the figures on 30th June me date last year will show you how the business of th rowing, and if proof of public confidence d, the fact past twelve months over 18 per cent., would amply supply it, During the half-year Dusiness had been fairly good, and the Direotore have taken the opportunity of increasing the R rgoly out of the ely exceptionally good profits of the period under review, and in pursuance of the policy so rigidly adhered to during the Fina. fustitored of the ant nix yours, y which perieucing time of perhaps almost tmexampled dis-amonget the Chinese, but I'am glad to inform you, and I do #0 with very much pleasure, that owing to the vigilance and Gisoreet tact of your Chief Manager, the nic has paseed through the ordeal, avoid-{in the first pluck any loss whatever from total Loans, and in thi 1d place putting iteolf in this p without in any way incurring ill-fooling among the large valuable native constituency of the Bank, (Appia Trade is at present ull, and values of all kinds of Eastern produce low, #0 that if the prospects of large profite to merchants are remote, the chances Of large losses to the Banke are equally 20, and this, from a Banker's point of view, ia'not an Unsatisfactory position. Many of you are aware that we have recently purchased the property adjoining the Bank, ut occupied by the Chartered lo Bank, and it is in contempli tion to erect new banking premises on thereby enlarged site, It in beyond queation that the building far too cramped increasing business requirements, and worthy of being the Head Office of this Corporation. Ihave only to add, Gentlemen, that the affairs of the Bank are in a sound and that as shareholders you are to be congratulated on its increased prosperity. (Applause), Before putting the motion for the adoption of the Report and passing of the accounts, I siall be glad to answer avy questions that you affairs of ug asked, the Chairman moved the adoption of the report, and the passing of the account Mr. ©. P. Cnater seconded, and the motion was carried unanimously.
The Cmarraan intimated that there was no other business, and that the dividend warrants would be ready to-morrow.
A vote of thanks to the Chairman and ment, proposed by Mr. Douglas Jones and seconded by Mr. A. Coxon, brought the meeting to a close.—China Mail.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.