The Express.
London, England, 1864-03-21 00:00:00

BANK OF AUSTRALASIA.-(THIS DAY.)

The 30th annual meeting of the eliareholdera not
held at 1 o'clock, Sir Miirro FARQUHAR, M.P. in the chair.
The following report and babuiceelheet were presented :
"The directors have the pleasure of presenting to the
proprietors the accounts of the bulk for the year ending
the 12th October, 1863. During that period trade in the Ans-
tralian
oolooies,tbough generally wan& ha • been inactive; but
the profite,it will be seen, have suffered no diminution. The
directors trust that this mutt will be viewed with satidac.
tion. u justifying the oonfideace they have always ex-
primped in the continued proeperity of the beak, notwith-
standing the increased competition to which it has been
exposed. The preliminary arrangements for the establish-
ment of branches in New Zealand have been completed.
Beak premises have been secured at Auckland, Dunedin,
and Christchurch, at considerable, though unavoidable,
expense ; and the managers and officers appointed to
those branches have proceeded to their respective deeti-
✓aginas, with the intentMa of commencing business
in Jesuitry last. The progre of New Zealand amply
warrants the policy of the directors in exteadiag the
operations of the beak to that cdony. The directors
have much pleasure in acknowledgiog the services
et Mr. Falconer in the general conduct of the
besieges, and in calling attention to those of
Mr. M'Arthur in making the preliminary arreogemealls in
New Zealand. The lamented decease of Mr. Alazandler
Wilson has created a vacancy in the chreetieie, fee
which Mr. Fleury Vicars East is the only candidate.
The directors have declared a dividend payable on
the 12th of April next, at the rate of 6 per cent
per aanem ; sad a bonus at the rate of 8 per cent per
annum, both free of income tax ; being together at the rate
of 14 per cent per annum. or 21. 16s. per share for the half-
year. The first instalment of la, paid in May, 1863, on
the new shares, will. in October next, participate in dividend
at the rate payable on the old shares.
*• Profit and Low A 000unt from October 13, 1862, to
October 12, 1863.—Dr.: To charges of management. Loa-
doe, 11,7271. Us. 3d. • colonial, 74.3351. 14s. 9d. ;
86,0631. 84. ; to charge oa the profit of the year in Ztnotion4
of the cost of bank premises, ; to half-year's dist.
deed, April, 1863, of 6 per cent per annum, and
bonus of 8 per cent , being together 14 per
cwt. per annum, or 21. 16s. per share, 63,1001. ;
ditto October, 1863, ditto, 63,000/.• together, 126.000/.; to
balance of undivided proSts, October 12, 1863, 149,681/.115.;
total, 359,869 r. 19s. Cr.: By balance of undivided profit,
October 13, 1862, 140,0301. VW. 3d.; by profit from October
13, 1862, to October 12, 1863, after deducting interest on
deposits and income tax, province having been made for
bad and doubtful debts, 213, 939/. 3s. 9.1.; total, 3.19,869/. 19s.

"Getters' Balance Acootio 1, 0.1.. 12, Dia —Dr.: To specie.
bullion, and cash at bankers, M 5,997/.64.8d. ; to government
securities and loans, 265,974/. 17s. 6d.: to pimentos fund
investment', 200,000/.. as under-96,7971. I la. 11d. Cooed'
purchased at 90i, 87,500/. 25,00/. Bank Stock purchased
at, 210, 52 0004 ; 60,000/. Geeloog Corporation De-
bentures, goaranWed by the government of Vic-
toria, at par, 60,0001. ; total, 200,00. X. To
bills receivable. securities for advances, and ether
meet", 3,:..9:1.30.51. 17... 3d. ; to bank premises. in Australia
sod London, 144,756/. 13e. a. ;in New Zealand. 12.6441.
I fie. ; together, 157,403/. 8..113. —t0...11.4.677,661f. Ss. 4d.
Cr.: By circulation, 371,033/. ; deposits, 2,199.7.11.
9s. 4d. ; _by bills payable other liabilities. 7:.14.1a9/.
e.. ; total. 3,298,999/. 115. 4,1. By capital, viz.-400,000/.
old, 9..3,000/. ; 3011,0001. new. first instalment, 75,000,. ;
total capital together, 1,2d0,n001. ; paid up, 075,000/.
By guarantee fund, 200 (AM. ; by dividend and boons doe
October 13, 1.413, 63,0C.V. ; by profit sod loss account, for
undivided balance October 12, 14.::3, 140,6814 11*. ; making
1,376,681/. Ala. ; total, 4.6776511. Se. ed."
The CHAIRMAN, in moving the adoption of the report and
amounts, said the affairs of the back in Australia were in a
sound and musfactory state, and the board had the
pleasure of announcing an undiminished dividend.
The bank stall stood in a high position in Australis,
and rotated the confidence of all its customers.
The oontiouous extension of colonial railways would tend to
augment the prosperity of the bank, railways being thevery
life blood of colonial prosperity. The last harvest in Victoria
was much above the average, and it was believed that there
would be sufficient produce, besides main tai shag the colonata,
to affords, considerable surplus for export to New Zealand.
The state of things in New Zealand was highly satisfactory,
and the board hoped that ere long absinth would be opened
at Nelaon. The population of that colony was rapidly in-
creasing, and, exclusive of the militarv, already amounted to
150,0. J, while the customs revenue increased in 1862
fio per ant. over that of IMI.. The diminution
in the helmets of cash at bank since last year arm, from the
Jemmied demand far money, and that in the deposits from
the withdrawal of a large amount by the government., and
investments to an unusual amount in land. He coccluded
by observing that the third instalment of 101. on the new
shares would be payable in May, and the fourth and last in.
stalment is November sett.

After some remarks [to= the CHAIRMAN. in reply, the
re was adopted.
ct retiring directors were then re.elected ; sad *hot
some discus on. Mr. Heory Vigurs East was chosen to fill
the vacancy caus...l by the dratit of Mr. Alex. WildOZL

Amongst the most interesting races to be run at
the approaching Spring Meeting at Coestantisople will be
the "Rutland Sweepstakes" of 10/. each, with rd. added
by the Dukeof Rutland, for horses of all countries, distance
four miles. The superior speed of the English 'umbers' is
unrivalled, but for endurance the Arab claims a pre-end.
MOON which the English horse is unwilling to concede.
The duke has proposed this long race in order to Alford
animals of all countries an occasioe for exhibiting their
"staying powers" over a fair course, and the trial will
have an interest for the sporting world extending much
beyond ►he precincts of the city of the Sultan.

The Italia of Turin publishes an aualy+is •,f a
report which, it declares C.:emu...lde Nootebellohas add: rued
to the Freoch Minister of War, relative to the coodicts be-
tween the French sad Pootanctl troops at Roam. The general
atkibutes throe quarrels to the presence in Rome of two
armies, sad to the fact of there being two separate com-
mands ; sod he is said to have endeavoured to movies, the
Pepe that the only means of preveating such °officious, and
at the same time of guaranteeing the security of the city,
wee tonna* in his heads the control of the Preach and Poe-
tifical troops. The Pops is sail te have refused to listen to
the advice, declaring that it would be an attack on his
oorsrsaraty.