B—ls

Current Accounts The number of accounts continues to show a very satisfactory increase. The following graph of the annual total of amounts debited to customers' accounts shows the great increase in monetary turnover, and reflects the increase in prices and in the volume of business :

Rehabilitation Business In order to assist in the work of rehabilitation of ex-service personnel, an arrangement has been come to with the Rehabilitation Department for the Bank's services to be used in certain cases in an advisory capacity. [lt was felt that our Managers would be able to afford valuable assistance in this very important work of rehabilitation, and it was arranged that, where desired, they should be co-opted to the District Rehabilitation Committees. The idea has proved itself and our Managers have cheerfully undertaken this additional duty. Drought and Flood Relief The drought-relief advances which were made two years ago by arrangement with the Government, and under Government guarantee, have been systematically reduced, and the small remaining balance should be liquidated successfully. The flooding in the Wairarapa last year was dealt with in a similar way, but fortunately the actual flood losses were relatively minor and there was little necessity for relief loans. The Bank co-operated fully with the Government's officers in dealing with the cases.

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