A Big Bank-note.

Te Aroha News, Volume VI, Issue 312, 31 October 1888, Page 3

A Big Bank-note.

A> extraordinary affair happened about the year 1740. Onfc of the dii eefcors of the Batik of England, a very rich man, had occasion for C 30,000, which he was to pay as the price of an estate ho had just bought. To facilitate the matter, ho carried the sum with him 1o the bank, and obtained for it a bank-note. On his return home he was suddenly called out upon particular businebS ; he tlnew the note carelessly on the chimney-piece, but when lie came back shortly atterwaids to lock it up, it was not to be louncl. No one had entered the room ; he could not, therefore, suspect any peison. The director went to acquaint bis colleagues with the misfortune that had happened to him; and, as he was known to be a perfectly honourable man, he was readily believed. It was only about twenty-four hourj from the time he had deposited the money ; they thought, therefore, that it would be hard to refuse his request, tor a second bill. He received it upon giving an obligation to restore the lirst bill, it it should ever be iound, or to pay the money himself if it should be presented by any stranger. About thiity yeara afterwards (the director having been long dead, and hi& heirs in possession of his fortune), an unknown person presented the lost bill at the bank, and demanded payment. It was in vain that thoy mentioned to this person the transaction by which the bill was annulled ; ho would nob listen to it. Ho maintained that it came to him from abroad, and insisted upon immediate payment. The note was payable to bearer, and the £30,000 were paid him. The heirs of the director would not listen to any demands of restitution, and the bank was obliged to sustain the loss. It was diecoveied afterwards that an architect, having purchased the director's house and taken it down in order to build anothor upon the same spot, had found the note in a crevice of the chimney, and made his discovery an engine for robbing the bank. — From " Casi sell's Old and Now London" for July.