CARES OF THE THRIFTY.

Taranaki Central Press, Volume IV, Issue 300, 3 December 1936, Page 3

CARES OF THE THRIFTY.

HVBBAND WHO CLAIMED WIFE’S SAVINGS.

DISPUTES SETTLED BY CHIEF -REGISTRAR.

Disputes over the small savings of the thrifty poorer classes, which now can be dealt with by the Chief Registrar of Friendly Societies, are not so uncommon might be expected, says a London paper. According to his report for the past year, just issued, the Chief Registrar of Friendly Societies dealt with ft large number of cases and was able to make 864 awards, which saved the parties heavy charges they would have incurred had they resorted to the law courts. Stories of the troubles of the thrifty, and domestic disputes arising out of small savings appear repeatedly throughout the report. In one case a husband,, separated from his wife, claimed her savings, which amounted to £lBO, on the grounds that she had accumulated this out of housekeeping money. The wife was able to show that she inherited some of the money, and some was given to her by her children. After a lengthy hearing the Registrar awarded the husband £5O as his share, and the entire cost to the parties was only £5. Half a century of domestic strife over money is revealed in another case. Wife Took Possession.

A country draper’s assistant, earning 22s 6d a week, married in 1886. He eventually became a junior partner in' the firm, but throughout his married life his wife took possession of his entire earnings. The husband, however, refused to give his wife a small legacy he inherited, and further displeased her by opening a bank account with certain profit balances he received annually as a partner in his firm. He was forced by his wife to hand over £l4O which came to him under an endowment policy he had taken on his life. The wife, on her death-bed, marked her displeasure by handing Savings Certificates and other “nest eggs” to her relatives. It was disclosed in evidence that the wife feared that if her husband inherited her money “he might misspend it.” The Registrar decided that the money left by the wife should go to the husband, and the costs of this complicated case amounted to only £3o—a fraction of what they would have been in the High Court. Another- married man sent £2OO to his niece in a registered letter worded as follows: “I am sending you £2OO in certificates, please give your .sister Daisy £lOO, and do not mention this money when you write.”

Was Certified Insane. He foolishly put the registered letter receipt in a pocket where his wife discovered it. The wife demanded explanations. He prevaricated and she came to the conclusion that he was mad, had him certified insane, and got herself appointed as his receiver. He’ died soon afterwards and the Chief Registrar decided the nieces must surrender the money to the widow. The entire costs were only £lB, including ten guineas allowed to a firm ;of solicitors. An old soldier, who held certificates in excess of the maximum permitted by savings certificate regulations, bought more still in an assumed name. When the money order department began inquiries he prevaricated and was in danger of losing his money. In the end, however, he disclosed that the assumed name was one he adopted on enlistment, and in view of the fact that he was uneducated, his explanation was accepted. Some idea of the increase in small savings is shown by the fact that in 1913 there was £254,000,0uu in provident societies, while to-day the figure is £1,259,000,000, or nearly five times s much.