In his evidence, the plaintiff said the goods supplied to Christie were the property of Wilson and Co., but he had his salary and the commission on any goods sold. Thereupon the defendants' counsel submitted that the plaintiff must be non-suited, but the learned Judge allowed an amendment, adding Wilson and Co. as plaintiffs, although he hesitated whether he had such power and ought to have exercised it. He only did so on the plaintiff's solicitors undertaking to give security for costs. On the note of application signed by Forman and on the receipts given to the plaintiff were clauses that "the agency would not be responsible for losses arising from inaccurate information," and a statement that the greatest care was exercised to prevent the possibility of error. In the defendants' register, the failure of James Christie and Co. was duly noted, but against J. and F. Christie, 131, Hope-street, Glasgow, commission agents, about whom the plaintiff inquired, there was no bad mark until a second failure in 1879. On receipt of the plaintiff's note of inquiry, the defendants sent their Glasgow agent, who, along with the secretary, was called as a witness, who said he consulted Messrs. Merry and Cunningham, iron merchants, &c., and the agents of the Glasgow Bank. They told him that Christie was respectable, and his landlord informed him he had paid his rent. These were the details he sent to the agency; and the defendants in their answer to the plaintiff stated there was no registered information against the J. and F. Christie inquired about. The plaintiff said he had been paid 6d. in the pound of his debt. MR. JUSTICE FIELD, in summing up, said the question would be for the jury-What was the contract made and had it been performed? Was the contract that the defendants should use due and reasonable care and skill, or merely to give such information as they had, being shielded from any loss arising from inaccuracy? If so, had they fulfilled it, giving the regis tered information, considering the very large business they did, some three millions of names on their lists, and the delicate nature of the operations? Had the agent made sufficient inquiries in Glasgow, or was there anything to have made the defendants prosecute further inquiries owing to the similarity with the unsuccessful firm of 1870 ? The jury, after a deliberation of 20 minutes, returned a verdict for the plaintiff for the amount claimed. His LORDSHIP entered judgment for the plaintiff for £253, with costs, and granted a certificate for a special jury. The learned Judge expressed an opinion adverse to a further claim of £50 for costs incurred in prosecuting Christie in Scotland. Reports of Joint Stock Banks. THE ANGLO-EGYPTIAN BANKING COMPANY, LIMITED. THE report of the directors to the thirtieth ordinary half-yearly general meeting of the company, 26th November, 1881. The directors have pleasure in submitting to the shareholders the annexed balance sheet and profit and loss statement for the half-year which ended on the 31st August last. The balance standing to the credit of profit and loss at that date (including the sum brought forward from the last account), after deduction of all expenses, and allowing for bad or doubtful debts, amounted to £160,786 15s. 10d. Out of this sum the directors recommend a dividend of £1 per share, at the rate of 10 per cent. for the past half-year, payable on the 1st December next free of Income Tax, which will absorb £80,000, leaving the sum of £80,786 15s. 10d. to be carried forward to the next account. The balance thus retained in hand may, perhaps, appear excessive, but, inasmuch as the events which have occurred in Egypt since the 31st of August, have, for the moment, depreciated the market price of Egyptian Stocks, the directors have considered it advisable to make ample provision for the difference between the valuation of them on the 31st August and the present time. Representations having been made to the directors, proceeding from trustworthy sources, of the absence of sufficient banking facilities in Malta, the directors have decided to establish an agency in that island, and they have secured the services of a wellknown merchant, long established there, for that purpose. The directors are also making arrangements to convert their present agency at Paris into a branch of the bank. The directors are able to assure the shareholders that the business of the bank shows great activity, and continues increasing, and that its relations with the Government and the mercantile community in Egypt are most satisfactory. Profit and Loss Account for the Half-year ending 31st August, 1881. Dr. Current expenses in London and at the branches Balance to new account £17,291 8 4 160,786 15 10 £178,078 4 2 Cr. Balance brought forward from 28th February, 1881, £137,919 158. 1d.; less dividend 15. per share, paid 1st June, 1881, £60,000.. Profits for the half-year ending 31st August, 1881. Audited and found correct, (Cooper Brothers & Co.) London, 15th November, 1881. THE BANK OF NEW SOUTH WALES. SIXTY-SECOND report of the directors to the half-yearly general meeting of the proprietors, held at Sydney, 31st October, 1881. The directors have the pleasure to submit to the proprietors a statement of the assets and liabilities of the bank on the 30th ultimo, with the auditors' report and declaration. The net profits for the half-year, after deducting rebate on current bills, interest on deposits, providing for bad and doubtful debts, and reducing valuation of bank premises, amount to £89,251 6s. 10d. To which is to be added-Undivided balance from last half-year, £3,089 11s. 7d.; giving for distribution, £92,340 18s. 5d., which the directors recommend to be appropriated as follows:-To payment of dividend at the rate of 15 per cent. per annum, £75,000; bonus at the rate of 23 per cent. per annum, £12,500; balance carried to "profit and loss" new account, £4,810. 188. 5d.,-£92,340 18s. 5d. During the past half-year branches of the bank have been established at Brewarrina, Walgett, and Wilcannia, in this colony. The branch at St. Mary's has been closed during the same period. It will be the duty of this meeting to elect a director in the room of Mr. Thomas Cadell, who retires by rotation, but is eligible for re-election, and has given the requisite notice that he is a candidate. Auditors will also have to be elected in the room of Messrs. James S. Harrison and Robert C. Close, who retire at this time, the latter being eligible for re-election. Aggregate Balance-sheet, September 30th, 1881. (Including London branch to 30th June, 1881, and New Zealand branches to 5th September, 1881.) Bank premises Bills receivable, bills discounted, and other debts due to the bank 126,858 4 6 1,255,911 19 10 6,534 0 0 327,937 10 8 Insurance account 10,325,426 0 0 1,056 12 10 £14,841,768 5 Dr. Profit and Loss, September 30th, 1881. 1881, September 30. Rebate at current rates on bills dis Cr. 1881, March 31. Amount from last account.. September 30. Balance of half-year's profits after providing for bad and doubtful debts, and including recoveries from debts previously written off as bad .. £3,089 11 7 108,001 19 11 £111,091 11 6 Audited 28th October, 1881. J. S. HARRISON, AUDITORS' REPORT. Auditors. We have examined the annexed balance-sheet, made up to 30th September, 1881, and report that we find the several items therein stated to conform to the balances in the general ledger, and the balance-sheets of the respective branches and agencies of the bank collectively. We have counted the cash balance, and examined the bills and other securities held by the bank at the head office, in Sydney, on the 30th September last, and hereby certify that we have found them correct. The cash, bills, and other securities held at the branch banks and agencies in New South Wales, Victoria, and South Australia on the 30th ultimo, in New Zealand on the 5th ultimo, and in Queensland on the customary dates, have been certified to as being correct by the usual documents. J. S. HARRISON, Auditors. BANK OF NEW ZEALAND. THE half-yearly general meeting of the shareholders of the Bank of New Zealand was held at the chief office, Queen-street, Auckland, on Wednesday, October 26th, the Hon. James Williamson in the chair. The General Manager read the advertisement calling the meeting, also the minutes of the last halfyearly general meeting, and the report and balance-sheet as follows:-The fortieth report of the directors of the Bank of New Zealand to the half-yearly general meeting of the proprietors. held at the banking-house, Auckland, on Wednesday, 26th October, 1881. The directors congratulate the shareholders on the result of the past half-year's operations, as exhibited in the following report and balance-sheet. The net profits for the half-year ended 30th September, after ample appropriations for all known bad or doubtful debts, and in reduction of Bank Premises and Furniture accounts, amounts to £73,943 2s. 4d., to which has to be added balance from half-year ended March 31st, 1881, £24,801 16s. 3d., giving a total, available for division, of £98,744 18s. 7d.; the following appropriation of which is now recommended :-To payment of dividend at the rate of 10 per cent. per annum, £50,000; to bonus of 5s. per share, equal to 5 per cent. per annum, £25,000; to balance carried to profit and loss new account, £23,744 188. 7d.-£98,744 18s. 7d. The dividend and bonus will be payable at head office, Auckland, to-morrow (Thursday) 27th inst., and at branches on receipt of advice. For the board of directors, JAMES WILLIAMSON, Chairman. Aggregate Balance-sheet of the Bank of New Zealand at 30th September, 1881, including London office at 31st July, 1881. To dividend on 100,000 shares, of £10 each, at rate of 10 per cent. per annum To bonus at rate of 5s. per share, equal to annum To balance carried to profit and loss new account .. £50,000 0 0 per cent. per 25,000 0 0 23,744 18 7 £98,744 18 7 Cr. By balance from half-year ended 31st March, 1881 We hereby certify that we have examined the accounts of the Bank of New Zealand for the half-year ending 30th September, 1881, and that we have counted the cash balances and examined the bills and other securities held at |