The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1885-10-03 00:00:00

LOAN OFFICE PROCEDURE.

A widow, living in Bessborough-gardens, Pimlico,
who was accompanied by her married daughter,
applied to Mr. Partridge at Westminster Police-
court, on Saturday, for advice, alleging that their
furniture was being removed at the instance of a loan
office under circumstances of great hardship. The
young woman stated that some 18 months ago her
father, now deceased, had a loan of £B2 from a loan
office in the City. Subsequently there was a further
loan of £2O to meet a quarter's rent, and, these sums
were absolutely all that were received. As the
receipts which she now produced showed, no less
than £73 of this amount had been repaid. Latterly,
through being unable to let, they got into a little
difficulty, and the loan office had seized the furniture,
demanding no less than LOG for release. The
goods were now being removed by van as
fast as possible, no attention being paid to their
remonstrance. The rate of interest charged was
over 60 per cent., and the furniture was worth very
much more than any balance which could fairly be
due. This week she (the applicant) had paid 15s.
for the man in possession, vainly hoping to be
able to make terms to save her goods. Mr. Part-
ridge asked where the bill of sale was. He was afraid
he could not advise without seeing that. The appli-
cant said the loan office people had kept the bill of
sale. All she had was the receipts for the money
paid. Mr. Partridge said he would have the matter
inquired into at once,. He directed one of the wx.-
rant officers to go with the A,ppnritsltid deattnd f'd
see the authority by which their furniture Was re-
moved, If no proper authority was produced, it
would be legal to prevent the goods being taken, and
the officer could render assistance to see that no
breach of the peace hok place. The applicant ap-
peared very grateful for the assistance rendered.
Later in .the day, a person, who stated that he was
a managing clerk to the firm acting for the loan
office, attended before Mr. Partridge to give an ex-
planation, the warrant officer, Dengate, having been
to the house to ascertain particulars as to the re-
moval of the applicant's goods. Mr. Partridge asked
to see the bill of sale. The clerk handed his worship
the document, stating that his employers were acting
for the loan office, who now claimed £37 arrears.
Mr. Partridge: I suppose under the security you claim
to have authority to sweep everything off? (After read-
ing tho bill of sale) : I see that the rate of interest_
60 per cent. The clerk said be did not know ho'W
much was charged for interest. The applicant did
not let her house to respectable lodgers, and she
been treated with consideration. When possessiOn
was taken a fortnight ago the claim was for £33. MA
Partridge said that it appeared that a sum for
interest on the old loan had been added and included
in the bill of sale. He did not know how it would be
affected by the new Act. Applicant said her furniture
was worth at least £2OO. The clerk observed that it
would not fetch half that sum. Mr. Partridge
(warmly) : You had better be careful what you are
about. If there is the slightest breach of the Act of
Parliament you will suffer for it. The Clerk (in an
off-hand way) : Will you give me the bill of sale
b.ek ? We are quite prepared to take all responsi-
bility. WQ know what to do and what we are about.
Mr. Partridge: 1 ery well. Understand, I warn you.
You can stand down. The bill of sale was
handed to the clerk, who at once left the court.
Mr. Partridge told the applicant to ascertain
at once whether the bill of sale was registered,
and he further directed Dengate to render her
every assistance. On his return the warrant officer
reported that the furniture was being cleared away as
fast as possible. Mr. Partridge remarked thiit the
applicant could attend the court again, and see either
himself or his colleague. -,. .