The half-yearly meeting of the Bank of New Zealand was held on Tuesday, and a satisfactory report was presented. The net. profit for the half year, ended 30t!i March, was £43,360 Is lid, to which were added premiums on new shares and balance from last half year, making an available total of £55,449 I'2s

7d. A dividend of 7 percent is declared, and a balance of £5ti,3SU 12s 7d carried forward. The transactions of the Hank represent the enormous sam of £13,7!14,057, which shows to what dimen sions the business of the colony's chief monetary institution has grown, and how much careful management it requires to steer it from dangerous ground. The bank's deed of settlement has been amended to admit of the altered conditions created by the issue of new shares, ami the various clauses were readily agreed to by the shareholders present. The President, Mr George Buckley, in his address took a very hope fill view of the future, and spoke cheer ingly of the improved tone in the colony's affairs. In the course of his speech Mr Buckley said :—" It is gratifying to note that the signs of returning prosperity, to which 1 was able to refer at our last meeting, have since become more pro nounced. A bountiful harvest, saved in excellent condition, is meeting remunera tive prices at our own doors. The revival of the flax industry, the steady demand for our dairy produce, the im proved tone of the wool market, and the development of the frozen meat trade, are amongst the factors that are working towards a better state of tilings. .Renewed attention is beiug directed towards us from outside—from Aus tralia, where our advantages of soil and climate have recently been brought into sharp contrast with the disastrous droughts that have again atilictcd our sister colonies, as well as from London, where the marked rise in our govern ment securities speaks of growth in confidence and favour with the investing public. The settlement of our land goes steadily on, increasing the number of producers and, in this way, the national wealth. The finances of the colony have been brought into equilibrium, if, indeed, there is not this year a surplus. There are, I think, plain indications that the habits of thrift engendered by past adversity are producing their natural fruits. 