Épargne

réf. 46980 — London: Printed For her Majesty's Stationery Office By Eyre And Spottiswoode. 1894 . The original Victorian enquiry. pp.69 . Foolscap; 13.0" x 8.25" . Blue paper covers with printed title edges chipped. Clean text throughout. "Referenced by: Ford Select List 1833-1899 p.29 "Henry Cronin Pratt was a highly regarded citizen. He was actuary of the Sudbury Savings Bank. He was also manager and traveller for wine merchant Mrs Adams. He was a prominent freemason of the Sudbury Suffolk Lodge Secretary of the Gas Company distributor of Stamps and manager of a printing Business. He was also a leading conservative figure. He began the simplest of frauds at the bank. A depositor would come into the bank to withdraw funds say �50 and Henry would write in the depositors pass book that they had withdrawn �50 but in the corresponding bank ledger he would write say �80 and pocket the difference. On the 24th October 1893 a Mr. Jackson came to inspect the bank records so he fled. It transpired the Henry Cronin over the years had stolen �17000 around �1000000 today. Which amounted to over half of the bank�s assets. The town was shocked and angry and frightened for the loss of their savings and the story made headline news. However fortunately for the people of Sudbury the town�s savings bank was somewhat different. The unsuspecting trustees of the bank all very honourable and worldly men had no idea they were liable. Of the 7 trustees 4 were members of the Sudbury Suffolk Masonic Lodge and 3 were Vicars. They were liable for paying back the shortfall. - See: The Rector and the Rogue: A Victorian Melodrama. By Peter Thorogood 2009. London: Printed For her Majesty's Stationery Office, By Eyre And Spottiswoode... 1894 . unknown