1905.] 



Village Banks in England. 



i55 



The societies in existence at the present time are situated in 

 Lincolnshire at Scawby, Spalding, and Friskney ; in Hamp- 

 shire at Hedge End ; in Norfolk at Wiggenhall ; in Worcester- 

 shire at Castle Morton and Far Forest ; in Leicestershire at 

 Freeby ; and in Bedfordshire at Clophill. 



The Scawby Society was established in 1894, and during the 

 first ten years of its existence lent out ^1,032 in thirty-eight 

 loans. In 1904 the number of members was twenty-nine and 

 the deposits ^90, while the loans granted in the year amounted 

 to £270. It also had a reserve fund of 



The Wiggenhall Society, in Norfolk, numbered forty-five mem- 

 bers in 1904, and granted ten loans amounting to £125 in that 

 year. Loans have been granted for the purchase of seeds? 

 horses, pigs, and sheep ; hire of horse labour for small holdings 

 and allotments ; and improving greenhouses. In every case 

 the loans have been punctually repaid. 



The Friskney Society, in Lincolnshire, was only established 

 during the past year, but it made, up to December last, three 

 loans amounting to £$0. One of these was for the purpose of 

 helping a small holder to take a larger holding, one for pur- 

 chasing extra stock, and one for purchasing seed potatoes. The 

 deposits received amounted to ^82, and in January, 1905, further 

 deposits of ,£39 were received, and loans to the amount of £6$ 

 were advanced. 



Another society, started in 1904, is that at Spalding, which 

 has no members. One loan was granted for the purchase of 

 a horse and a cow, the borrower being the occupier of thirteen 

 acres of land. 



The Hedge End Society, in Hampshire, seems to be doing a 

 useful work. The number of members is thirty-three, and the 

 loans in 1904 amounted to £205. The secretary of the society 

 states that the loans were granted for the purpose of purchasing 

 manure and seeds, and also for the hire of labour. One member 

 was able to buy two or three acres of potatoes, which he sold 

 at a profit, and others have increased their holdings through 

 the loans. All the loans have been punctually repaid. 



From these examples it will be seen that the extent of the 

 operations of these co-operative banks is at present quite small, 

 but where they are established they no doubt serve a useful 



