The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1897-09-09
UNCLAIMED MONEY IN ENGLAND.
Some Facts About the Sums Waiting
for Owners to Appear.

New York Sun.
During the last parliamentary session
several important returns relating to UNI
claimed funds in English government de-
partments have been issued by order of the
House of Commons. A London lawyer has
compiled the following interesting extracts
Funds in Chancery-The receipts ana
transfers into the Supreme Court of Judica-
ture lEngland) during the year ending Feb.
20, 1896, were $76, 516, 2Ss. This sum- added
to the balance in hand on March l, $780,
makes a grand total of 1888 Si2, 0S6. After
payments out of court to successful claim
ants and Others amounting to $S517S,240.
there remained on hand in cash and securi-
ties on Feb. 20. 1896, the large balance OF
$ $ s bs exfIUsixe Of large item under nl
portion of this balance, which may be
classed as unclaimed" is not stated, but
no less than 81, 40 has been appropriate
ed, in the absence of claimants, to various
objects. The Consolidated fund is liable in
respect to this appropriation in the event of
their claims. The number of suitors' ac-
counts" is 1924, of which some 5000 relate
to funds unclaimed between the years OF
1870 and 1877.
The funds in the Supreme Court of Judi
cature Qreand) on Sept 80, 1896, were S26,-
9O6 O65. In the chancery division there is a
act amount is not stated. More than
I,250,000 part If such unclaimed funds, has
courts and Law Library in Dublin. I'M
claimed dividends on government stock due
and not demanded, on April z, 1896, were
81 Az 1875; on July g. $1,3SlSl5; on Oct. 2, ST.
444930, and on Jan. iast, $l326,5l5. Tho
greater portion of these sums was advanced
to the government, pursuant to act of Par
Lament; till claimants appear. The total
amount of accumulated unclaimed govern
ment stock dividends is about $50, 000. The
Consolidated fund is liable in respect of a
sum of IS, 1O6,595,. part of the unclaimed
money arising from bankrupts estates
The exchequer is also liable TO the sum OF
$19S, 1886, interest on South sea stock, paid
over to the government between the years
1862.
of $685. fell to the Crown during 1896 in
the absence of heirs or by reason of ille-
gitimacy. The balances in hand at the COM
mencement of the year were S626375. and,
tates, grants next to kin, etc, the balances
on Dec. 81 last were $5s6.9S5. A similar re-
turn relating to intestates' estates in Scot
land shows that the same date the
0,1aaY,,S ay,oayol1rancar had haIancec IN hand
amounting to $20l,5S5
The balance of unclaimed army prize mon
ey in hand on March 81, 1885, was 1885, $50.
1t is interesting to note that during the
year immedia tely preceding that date only
$67 was paid to soldiers and their represent
atives while $500 was utilized towards the
maintenance of Chelsea Hospital ana
grounds.
The unclaimed effects of soldiers accumu-
lated since 1868, have reached the large sum
of $704 240. This fund has been transferred
prize money The balance of unclaimed ma
val prize money due to sailors or their rep
resentatives on March 81, 1885, was 1880 0OO.
There are also considerable sums on hand
arising from unclaimed wages ana eHectS
of deceased seamen.
1t has been suggested that the state should
have custody of unclaimed funds now In
the hands of bankers and others. but the
chancellor of the exchequer found he could
not approve legislation which would direct
these funds to that channel.