CO129-235 - Public Offices - 1887 — Page 341

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TRO UR) 3540

(REGE 1 MAR 87)

Bryan

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THE Specie Bank, following its usual custom, has published in the foreign papers its half-yearly balance sheet, which shows some considerable changes from the previous one. Latterly the volume of business of the bank had seemed decreasing, the total assets and liabilities having six months ago beeu below twenty-one millions, whilst now busi- ness has increased again, and at the pro- İ sent time the totals are upwards of twenty-six millions, but out of this Government deposits alone represent nearly two-thirds. The or dinary Government Deposits are about the same as last year, but the "special" Govern- ment Deposit has risen from less than ten millions to upwards of thirteen. The ordinary deposits also show an increases of upwards of a million. Notes in circulation, which bad,

at the date of last statement, fallen to $48,700 have now disappeared altogether. Bills pay. able show a small increase of nine thousand dollars, but the amount in the hands of Agencies shows a very decided change, having risen from under $17,000 to very nearly $900,000.

Amongst the Assets, Cash in hand is slightly larger, but Government Securities show a cor- responding falling off. Loans have increased nearly filty per cent, and now stand at $2,709,948, and Bills receivable (ustive) are also larger, but only reach a million and a half. The most remarkable develop- ment, however, is in the Bills receivable, For- sign, which show an increase of four millions, amounting now to upwards of thirteen millions and a half-all of which is practically so much business taken out of the hands of the foreign banke. There appears to be some connection between the special Government deposit and these bills, as they are generally nearly of the same amount, having been nine millions each in the last balance sheet, and thirteen millions each in the present one. The profits of the last half year again show A falling off, being $488,184 against $521,151 in the preceding six months, nor is this munch to be wondered at, for the recent rise in silver at home must have told heavily against the Bank's opera.' tions. The usual dividend is, however, declared, and $200 000 ad·led to the Reserves, the three funds now amounting to $1,582,000, -a very satisfactory showing,

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