SAVINGS BANK ROMANCE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXI, Issue 9617, 15 September 1894, Page 2 (Supplement)

SAVINGS BANK ROMANCE.

Through the instrumentality of the Mayor of Middleton (Alderman John Thorpe), the sole survivor of an old Top-o'-Middleton family has just received a sum of money under peculiar circumstances. In the year 1844 a woman, who was born in Rack High-street, Middleton, was convicted at the assizes on a charge of larceny at Manchester, where she was in service, and was sentenced to seven years' transportation. At that time the convict had invested in a savings' bank in Manchester the sum of £96, and in those days all convicts' property became confiscated to the Government. In January, 1893, the niece of the person convicted got possession of the bank-book showing the amount deposited, and this was handed to Alderman Thorpe, in order to see if the money could be recovered and paid to the niece, who is in poor circumstances, and now resides in Ashton. Mr. Thorpe at once instituted inquiries. His first step was to have an interview with the principals of the bank in Manchester, and he was informed that the money was still in the savings' bank, and over thirty years ago it was reported to the Government as being confiscated property, bub the Government never claimed it. Acting on the advice of the bank authorities, Mr. Thorpe set to work to find the certificate of marriage of the woman who had been convicted, and in this he succeeded. Mr. Thorpe next wrote to the clerk of the peace at Preston, asking for information about the convicted woman, but he could glean nothing, and the clerk of the peace advised Mr. Thorpe to communicate with the governor of Millbank Prison. This was done, bub with no bettor result, and Mr. Thorpe then communicated with the Home Office. He received a reply to the effect that in 1844 the woman named was convicted of larceny at Manchester, and sentenced to seven years' transportation, and that in the beginning of the year 1845 she sailed in the ship Tasmania for Tasmania, since which time all trace of her had been lost. The Home Office advised Mr. Thorpe to write to the Governor of Hobart Town. He did bo, and in reply received a letter to the effect that the woman named arrived there in 1545, and was liberated in 1849—two years before her time, on account of her good conduct. Since then nothing was known of her, " bub, if still alrve," added the Governor, "shemust be 85years of age." On receipt of this intelligence Mr. Thorpe communicated with the solicitor to the Duchy of Lancaster and the solicitor to the Treasury, and representatives from these offices have paid several visits bo Middleton to make inquiries as to whether the convicted woman was dead or alive, and, if dead, whether the niece referred to was the sole surviving relative. Month after month passed without definite result. At length, however, Alderman Thorpe's energetic labours were rewarded, as a few days ago the niece received a cheque for £163, being the amount originally invested in the savings' bank, together with £67 accumulated interest, less expenses incurred in making necessary inquiries.