The West Coast has been well provided with banking facilities from the early days of the goldfields. Many interesting and exciting experiences concerning events in those days are fully set forth in an interesting little book entitled “Banking under Difficulties,” published in 1888, and written by a bank official. Greymouth has four branch banks, Hokitika three, and Westport and Reefton two each. The first bank on the Coast was built at Hokitika early in 1865, and in the same year another was opened in Greymouth. Hokitika is the only place on the Coast which has a local savings bank, but the Post Office Savings Bank is represented in all the larger centres. Though the returns of gold are small, in comparison with the immense quantities won in the early days of the goldfields, still a considerable amount is brought into the various banks.

The Bank of New South Wales , at Hokitika, stands at the corner of Camp Street and Revell Street. It was opened in the early days of the goldfields, and the Bank page 508 of New South Wales is said to be the first bank to be represented in Hokitika. The original building was occupied for forty years, but a handsome building of two stories was erected in 1905. It is of wood and iron, and contains a banking chamber, a manager's office, a strong room, and a residence of eight rooms. The staff includes a manager, and three officers.

Mr. Edward Ernest Bayly Mabin was appointed manager of the Bank of New South Wales at Hokitika in May, 1903. He had been previously stationed in various parts of New Zealand.

The Bank of New Zealand has been represented in Hokitika since the early days of the West Coast. It is domiciled in a large twostoried building, which was erected in the year 1873, and contains a banking chamber, a manager's room, a strong room, and officers' quarters. The staff includes a manager and five assistants.

Mr. George Augustus Burgess was appointed manager of the Bank of New Zealand at Hokitika in the year 1901. He was born in Auckland, and is a son of the late Captain Burgess, of that city. Mr. Burgess has been an officer of the Bank of New Zealand since 1874.

The National Bank of New Zealand, Ltd. , Revell Street, Hokitika, was opened in 1883 by Mr. C. F. A. Broad, with Mr. J. D. Lynch second in charge. The bank does a large gold purchasing business throughout the Westland district, and has a good commercial connection.

The Hokitika Savings Bank was established in the year 1866, by the late Mr. A. Bonar, father of the Hon. J. A. Bonar, sometime Superintendent of Westland. Mr. Bonar, senior, acted as manager of the bank until his death in the year 1872. The premises, which were erected in 1880, are situated in Hamilton Street, and consist of a wood and iron building, containing a banking chamber, suitably fitted up. The bank is open twice weekly—on Thursday afternoons and Saturday evenings. It has been a highly successful institution. Officers for the year 1905: The Hon J. Holmes, vice-president; Mr. W. Duncan, manager; and six local trustees.

Mr. William Duncan was born in the year 1843 in the parish of Errol, Perthshire, Scotland, where he went to school. He entered the service of the Union Bank of Australia, in London, and in 1863 was transferred to Melbourne, Australia. Then he came to New Zealand, where he eventually was appointed manager of the Hokitika branch of the Union Bank of Australia. Mr. Duncan occupied this position for eight years, and started business on his own account in 1879. He has been chairman of the Hokitika Benevolent Society since 1885. Mr. Duncan married a daughter of Mr. James Petrie, of Hokitika, in the year 1871, and has two daughters, both of whom are married. He is further referred to as a general commission agent. Mr. Duncan is manager of the Hokitika Savings Bank, agent for the Public Trustee, secretary to the local Gas Company, and holds numerous other agencies.

Crossing the Otira River. Ring, photo.