The new South-news., 1908-10-31
TREASURE WAITING FoR OWN
ERS.
Cellars That Rival Atacdin'e Cave
London Banks That Hold Un-
claimed Wealth.

S'a''~N vV~SsAi's
II all the gold. silver and jewelr,
now lying dormant in the storerooms
OF the great banks OF this country
were to be arrayed in a stage scene
a spectacle of glittering magnificence
would be presented beside which the
splcncor Of Aladdin's cave would pale
to insignihcance, says London Tit.
bits"
There would be heavy gold plate.
solid silver heirloms and jewels sur.
passing in beauty the headgear of a
Maharajah.
For instance, who knows how much
plate and jewelry was sent over TO
England just prior to the French
Revolution? That it's value ia untold
many people know Some Of the own.
ers perished during the Commune
troubles; others died before they
were able to reveal the secret OF their
hidden treasure. Consequently, there
are doubtless in France today many
people blissfuly ignorant OF the
wealth here in England to which they
are entitled And ignorant they will
remain.
What becomes of all this wealth?
Also, what becomes OF the hundreds
OF unclaimed bank balances? Ii is
said Of certain bank, famous for its
architectural magnifcence and sur
rounding beauty, that the whole struc.
ture was raised out of these unclaim.
ed balances and dividends.
Mr. Bottomley. M. p, is doing his
utmost to push through the House OF
Commons bill, the object of which
Is TO bring into the possession and
control of the state this dormant
wealth now lying in the vaults of our
great banking institutions Mr.. Bot.
icmley, who is unusually well in
foi ned, declares that the banks them.
selves could not know what was lyina
IN their vaults on which dividends
have not been claimed; that there ia
over f1,000.000 to-day in the shane
OF unpaid dividends in the possession
of the joint stock companies In this
country.
There t~ one Joint stock bank In
The city OF London which, until a few
years ago. had as a customer an &C.
centric old lady who had E2S.0pc
standing to her credit Once at least
every year she would drive up TO the
bank. ask for the manager, and draw
cheque for the entire sum. Having
counted the notes and checked the in.
terest, she was well satisfied as to the
security of her money. and then disap-
peared For the last seven years the
bank has seen nothing Of that old
lady. The E2S,000 is lying in the Joint
stock bank
hlt what about the lady? Has she
any relatives? Are they aware of her
wealth. or is she. in fact, living?
II might be comical in one aspect
but what about the dependents Of that
poor old lady? Again. a wealthy man
was In the habit Of having all his
money on deposit in various banks. A
Iew years age he was In a railway
accident and was killed. At this mo-
ment, though he was known to have
been wealthy man, his family are
living in absolute want and almost
pehury' because they are utterly un-
able to ascertain where his money is
al present lodged. Inquiries have BEEN
made, nut the banks always rerly
that they give no information on such
suDlects- third case Ia that Of an
onscer who lost his life in the South
African war. Within q week Of hts
death he wrote saying that II anything
befell him he had f6,0OO in the bank
ior the assistance Of his family. That
Aam'iy today cannot nnd out whore
any portion OF that money IL.
regarding jewelry and PLAZA
weil known West End bank
admittedly two millions ~
eurit'es waiting for lawful claimant.
to come along and be put In posssasion