SAM
S A R
327
Report, 1897—continued.
Samuel, Isaac. (Digest of his Evidence)—continued.
[Second Examination.]—Further information respecting the advertisements in the
“ Christian Union,” and the favourable notice therein concerning Fieldings; copy of the
paper handed in, the insertion therein having been intended to reach tne clergy, 2023,
2024. 2050-2066 Origin of the former firm, started under the name of J. S. Fielding,
and replaced by Fieldings, Limited ; accuracy of advertised statement that the company
has 85,000/. 10 lend, 2025-2049.
Statement with further reference to the various classes of borrowers, and the practice
of paying a commission to any persons who introduce business, 2067-2078 Grounds
for the contention that there is a prejudice against Fieldings and other money lenders
through their being judged mainly as advancing money at exorbitant rates of interest
per annum, whereas their loans are frequently for short periods at a given sum for the
accommodation proportionate to the risks incurred, 2076-2092. 2094-2099.
Approval of money lenders being licensed, and of withdrawal of the license under
certain circumstances ; check thereby upon commission agents (or “ fee-snatchers ”), and
upon persons who advertise to lend without having any money for the purpose, 2093-
2104 Suggestion that persons advertising as money lenders might be required to
deposit a certain sum in consols in proof of their bond Jides, 2iot.
Further statement as to the limited resort by Fieldings to bills of sale as compared
with promissory notes ; less liability to litigation and less relative loss in the latter case,
2105-2115. 2211-2219 Explanation as to written copies of the balance-sheet being
sent to the shareholders, witness not having known that the Act of 1862 prescribed printed
copies, 21 16-2121. 2193, 2194.
Examination upon the question whether upon the paid-up capital (44,538/.) the net
profits of Fieldings for 1896 were not about 33 per cent., instead of 11 per cent.; calcu
lation that the return is only at the latter rate if all the money advanced be taken into
consideration, 2122-2150.2195,2196 Doubt as to the annual cost of advertising,.
2151-2155
Heavy losses through fraud of various kinds, forged documents not being uncommon,
2156-2159 Stringent notice issued by F’ieldings as to discrepancies being reported to
the office, this being done as a check upon irregularities on the part of employes, 2160-
2162 General practice to sue upon promissory notes in the county court of the
locality where the transaction took place ; approval of this system which is according to
law, 2163-2169. 2178-2190, 2220-2227.
Consideration of Mr. Farrow’s recommendations for an amendment of the law as
regards money lending; approval of some of these, 2170-2192 Further objections
to the rate of interest being stated in promissory notes, though the total amount charged
might be stated, 2170-2173.
Charge made by Fieldings for interest according to the risk, just as underwriters
charge; difficulty in stating the average rate charged, the lowest being about 15 to 20
per cent., 2173. 2199-2210 Approval, upon certain conditions, of defaulting
borrowers not being liable to imprisonment, 2191, 2192 Very few loans made by
Fieldings in Scotland ; they have had no action there, 2228-2236.
Explanations with further reference to the circumstances under which the loan to the
lady at Oxford was negotiated, Fieldings not having had a regular office in Oxford at
the time but only the use of a room, 2237-2275.
Infoi mation respecting a card issued by Fieldings at Chester, where they have a
room, stating the terms upon which loans may be repaid ; doubt as to the actual rate
per cent., 2271-2288. 2300, 2301 Frequent loans formerly to army pensioners;
entire discontinuance of such loans by witness’ firm since their prohibition by the War
Office, 2289-2299.
[Third Examination.]—Evidence in explanation of Mr. Hope’s case, and in correction
of some of his statements; belief that there was an advance to him of 110/. (not 100/.)
in the first instance, the net profit on the transaction having been 31/. 10s. 4<Z.; 2500-
2553 Amount of interest received as dividend from the Bankruptcy Court in this
case; practice of the court always to cut down the interest, 2531-2539. 2557, 2 55&
Explanation of the practice of money lenders in subscribing to “ Perry’s Gazette,” or
other agencies for protection purposes, 2541-2548. 2554-2556. 2559, 2560.
Particulars respecting the case of Richard Bridger, as referred to by Mr. Ives, witness
submitting a different version of the transaction ; difficulty in stating the actual rate of
interest on this loan, 2561—2591 Explanation of the term “bonus charge,” as
sometimes made for allowing a bill to stand over for a time; it is really interest or
profit, 2592-2599.
Samuel, Mr. Paper handed in by Mr. Samuel, explanatory of his views as regards the
amendment of the law on certain points, App. 278-280.
Sarjeant, Frederick Arthur. (Digest of his Evidence.)—Witness, who is a solicitor at
Reading, submits particulars of the case of a client named Barrett, who obtained some
0.142. U u loans