Banking Under Difficulties

Step back to 1888 and explore the extraordinary experiences of a bank official navigating life on the Goldfields of Victoria, New South Wales, and New Zealand. In an era when banking was far from conventional, imagine a world where bank agencies operated out of tents, and bankers trekked long distances on foot to purchase gold from small storekeepers. Picture the scene gold carried on their backs until they reached the rustic refuge of a bush shanty. Forget about grand cedar counters and secure strong-rooms; instead, envision writing on a gin case with a note-book or even a piece of wrapping paper. This compelling account, based on George Ogilvy Preshaw’s observations, reveals the gritty reality of banking in a time when the modern conveniences we take for granted were mere fantasies.