CHARLESTON
In the flush of easily-earned prosperity, many desired to share therein and engage in schemes for which the banks were to find the money and “carry the baby” in the event of failure; their geese were swans, and the banks had to distinguish the birds not likely to lay golden eggs. Yet, the despised goose often serves a good purpose, especially at Michaelmas—one rich field was discovered owing to gold having been found within a festal victim. In short, the banks were the guardians of the people during the varying vicissitudes of the field’s rapid growth and more gradual decline.
In February of 1869 the Bank of New South Wales unwittingly contributed to the festive life of the town. Its branch at Brighton had been closed, and its books and cash brought to Charleston on pack-horses. It was found that about £150 in half-sovereigns was missing, and enquiry revealed that a nail in the pack-saddle had torn holes in the sacks, resulting in a golden trail along the track. Only about £3/10/- worth was recovered by the bank, but it was observed that for several nights afterwards an unusual quantity of liquor was consumed at certain hotels, and was paid for with golden coins. On the 2nd of the following month (March) a man was charged at the Police Court with having found and retained some of the missing coins, but the charge could not be proven.
At times the counter work of banks had its light side. A tale is told of a public man having been presented with a purse of sovereigns; he accepted it, but the next day wrote to the Committee saying that “as he had only done his duty” he could not accept monetary recognition, so enclosed his cheque in refund of the amount. His high-principled action was marred by the fact that his cheque was not met, his account being perpetually overdrawn. In another case a cheque for £25 was presented, but handed back marked “not sufficient funds.” The holder with a smile paid in £5 and presented it again with the same result. He continued paying in amounts until he had paid in the full amount of the cheque, then, confidently presented it finally. It was returned again, with the remark “that there was still a small overdraft to be met.”
Perhaps the greatest service rendered by the banks was
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