The Bank's Stability

Horowhenua Chronicle, 11 December 1915, Page 3

The Bank's Stability

It was at one of the up-country branches ol one of soundest "u&rfTs doTng business in the Dominion that a mid-dle-aged lady called, labouring under evident anxiety, and presented a fix<?d deposit receipt with a request for cash. "But, madam," explained the toller, "tills receipt is not due until next November. It has eight months to run yet." "Oh, yes, 1 know," was the reply. "But l am very anxious Jo have it; in fact, I must have it at once." "Well, I am afraid) I snail not be able to pay you," said the toller. "It is entirely contrary to the rulee. Tou see," ho said, turning over the requisition slip, "you fixed this £W"-on deposit ior twelve months, dating from 11th JSovembor last. By so doing you entered into a contract with the bank t" leave it here for a year, and I have not the discretion, even if it was my wish, to pay you before the expiry oi that term."

"But 1 was told," replied the woman, "that if I forfeited my interest I would be able to get it."

"Oh, well," said the teller, "1 will refer it to the manager. Do you want tho money for any particular purpose?"

"Oh, no, I don't really need it—er —er—that is, yes, i do want it."

This gave the teller a clue and he said: "It is not that you have any doubts as to the safety ol your money, is it. madam H"

"Oh, no," she'said, "that is. I don't want to leave it here any longer."

The toller went to the manager's room and put the case before him, and the manager started from his room to interview the lady personally, remarking: "Oh, well, it is a. trifling amount s<> we had hotter let her have it. But l would like to find out her reasons. , ' Proceeding, to the counter he crossexamined her, but was unable to g«t any further information than that sin; wanted the money, so, finaily, he said: "Very well, then," and with evident relief she endorsed the receipt and took over the forty sovereigns that weru counted out to her. Then she said, nodding her head to emphasise hor words: "1 don't mind telling you now that it is because I am not sure oi the bank. 1 have heartf serious rumours about this bank." "Well," said the Manager with a smile, "I can assure you that there is not the slightest truth m them, lor the bank is absolutely sound." "Oh, yes, I know you would say that," said the woman, liut my information came irorn a very reliable source." 'Well," asked the manager, ' "do you mind telling me what it was; There is no harm m. my knowing, 1 euppose." "Oh, no," wae the l-eply, "I suppose you will find out eooner of later/ and looking round cautiously to see u anybody was listening, sh© said in an awestruck whisper, accompanying each word by an emphatic tap on the counter: "I heard on absolutely reliable authority that this bank last month lost over £500 by <i bad debt."-Mercantile-tiazette.