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The Exeter Times-Advocate, 1946-11-28, Page 8* Page 8 New serial story */(& * I 98,358,231.24 5,512,707.50 1,099,728,432.17 23,003,885.74 1,764,729,301.59 1,843,985,587.4056^22^26.42 59,391,558.13 $1,506,188,301.24 4,487,782.91 301,659,974.44 3,420,000.00 1,067,782.91 10,575,688.13 25,561,623.59 3,000,OOO.QP $1,843,985,587.40 CASH.. . The B of M has cash in its vaults and money on deposit with the Bank of Canada amounting to ..... . MONEY in the form of notes of, cheques on, and deposits with other banks.......................... INVESTMENTS: The B of M has well over one billion dollars in­ vested in high-grade government bonds and other public securities, which have a ready market. Listed on the Bank’s books at a figure not greater than their market value, they amount to . The B of M has other bonds, debentures and stocks, representing to some extent the extension of credit to industrial enterprises for reconversion from wartimp to peacetime production, and for ex­ pansion of productive facilities in established field* valued at no more than the market price, they amount to .... . OTHER ASSETS: These chiefly represent liabilities of customers for commitments made by the Bank on their behalf, covering foreign arid domestic trade transactions, totalling $21,538,615.59. BANK BUILDINGS: In hamlets, villages, towns and large cities from coast to coast the B of -M serves its customers at 498 offices. The value of the buildings owned by the Bank, together with fur­ niture and equipment, is shown on its books at . . . CALL LOANS: The B of M has call loans which are fully protected by quickly saleable securities. These loans amount to . . . QUICKLY AVAILABLE RESOURCES: The resources listed above, all of which can quickly be turned into cash, cover 85.35% of all that the Bank owes to the public. These "quick assets" amount to TOTAL RESOURCES WHICH THE B of M‘ HAS TO MEET ITS OBLIGATIONS *■ . . . .< . * . . ♦ 3,188,502.90 4,256,285.81 r THE TIMES-APVQCATE, EXETER, ONTARIO, THURSDAY MORNING, NOVEMBER 28th, 1946 * Voodoo Moon’ by Joseph Chadwick The .story thus far: June Vernon is at her desk in the Trans-Union Oil Co. offices in Puerto Blanco, working late to get out the payroll when she hear? ft sound outside in the darkness. She nervously swit­ ches off her desk lamp, hoping thus to conceal herself, hut next moment the dooi* opens a bulky figure moves into room. June tries to get away •the man grabs her, an;d in the en­ suing scuffle she ibites him on the arm, drawing blood, weakens his* grip and June gets away. She finds Forbes, one of the company engineers, and returns to the office, but by then the intrudei* has gone. Nothing is missing, but they find a Cuban cigarette stub and a burlap bag in the office— and a drop of blood on the floor. Driving June into town later, Forbes asks her why she isn’t with Scott Agnew at the party at Ren­ dezvous Cay, and when she evades him he suggests that perhaps the prowler had come to the office for her. the and the hut The pain CHAPTER II Across the haribor, at Blanco, the blackout was hearted thing. Toward the Puerto a half­ sea, the town presented a black face hut to leeward there were neon signs and bright windows. Tonight the water­ front was aglow. Forbes said, “There’s a ship in.” “The S.S. Aurora,” June Vernon told him. “Word gets around fast.” “I know the wife of the Ameri­ can consul.” “Oh,” [Forbes turned the station wagon off the shore road into the Calle Martinez. They dr-ove at a fast clip through the ramshackle native sec­ tion, and then the street broadened out somewhat. Near midtown, they were halted at an intersection by a dusky traffic policeman in a faded khaki uniform. He held the station wagon there while a strag­ gling file of men crossed the Cale Martinez, June, noticed that one oif the group had paused on the curb to light a cigarette. A khaki duffle­ bag was slung over his left shoul­ der. His clothes were khaki, too, but he wasn’t a soldier. He wore a battered felt hat at a cocky angle. He was a tall, lean man and except for the .stubble of -beard on his face he was attractive. Glaringly Ameri­ can, -and a virile type. He took the lighted cigarette from his lips. He was grinning, his eyes on June Vernon, as traffic stopped them in front of him. “Where in Puerto Blanco,” he said, “does a man meet girls like you?” June laughed, and said, "You might try th’e Casa Rita,” and by then the station wagon was moving again. Forbes turned into a dark nar­ row street and stopped the car be­ fore the house June pointed out. He leaned back and lighted a cig­ arette, and in the flickering glow of the match his* leathery frowning. He said, “It’s probably any business, but are you are all right?” “Quite all right,” June “I’ve gotten face was none of sure you told him, over my scare.” Her eyes moved away. “I know what you’re thinking but it isn’t so. That man didn’t break into the refinery to—to harm me. He was after something else, perhaps money or some company papers. He must have .been.” “If I did the right thing, I’d go’ to Rendezvous Cay and report what happened myself.” “Why don’t you? You were in­ vited to the’party You could go with me.” She turned and smiled >at him. “Wouldn’t you like to take me to a party?” .Forbes grinned and said, Don’t put ideas into an old man’s head.” He opened the door for her and June thanked him for bringing her home and got out. June .hesitated a moment, then as Forbes’ car dis­ appeared she walked rapidly—'back toward the Calle Martinez. Reach­ ing the street she could see the Casa Rita’s neon sign three blocks away.~ It was brightly red.... Jim Britten had become a part of the group of newly landed sol­ diers and workmen through accid­ ent. He had come ashore from the Jamaican Negro’s fishing boat just as the group marched quay where the freighter «ed. He was on his- way ;and so he trailed along. He had paid off the boy, saying, cruise, The forget we . wagon. The name was: Trans- Union Oil Company. The girt (had said, laughing, “You might try the Casa Rita/’ The Casa Rita boasted the big” ■ gest neon sign in town, Jim Britten couldn’t have missed the place had he tried- It was a Puerto Blanco version of an American night club. There was ft small mirrored tfoyer, then the main room spread out in a confused jumble. There was a crowded bar, innumerable small tables', a five-piece orchestra and couples were dancing listlessly in a cramped space at the room’s far end. An unoccupied table stood over by the left wall, and Jim made his way to jt. None of the attendants objected to his not being present­ able, so he put his bag beneath the table and sat down. A swarthy waiter came, .and he ordered a daiquiri.. Big-bladed ceiling fans out of a past era revolved lazily overhead, swirling the blue haze of tobacco smoke that hung over the room like a cloud. The orchestra played loudly, and voices made a swelling hum of sound. Finally, the lights dimming, the floor show started. A blonde in a red gown stood in the glare of a spotlight and sang of love. Jim divided his attention between the singer and the room’s entrance and he felt his nerves tighten up when he saw the polieman coine in. It was an inspector of the island police; a grizzled, red-faced, gray- mustached man who looked like an ex-top sergeant. For an instant, Jim Britten won­ dered how the .police hdd gotten on on him wondered what ^mistake he had made. But then the inspector tucked the little cane, a stick, he carried under his turned and marched out of Rita. Jim drew a relieved The station wagon girl a minute or two later. She was a taller, and prettier girl than he had expected, and the picture she made standing in indecision at the en­ trance registered on his mind as on a photographic film. She wore a white linen dress with a bit of green here and there, -and her hair was a tawny blonde. She sculpted features, wide gray eyes, and a pouting look about her mouth. Men other than Jim Britten became aware of her, and a little clamor arose as some soldiers en­ thusiastically invited her to join them. The girt smiled faintly and her searching glance finally found ■ Jim. He stood up at once -and he pulled out a chair for her saying, “Hello, hello,” in an easy offhand manner as though there was noth­ ing odd about their meeting. The girl said, “Hello,” and slip­ ped into the chair. She still wore that forced smile. Jim sat down. "Something to drink?” “Thank you. Just order me any­ thing.” “A martini?” “That would be nice.” Jim caught the waiter’s eye and gave the order. He turned back >to the girt, an.fl her smile was gone; she was watching him intently. Jim was acutely aware of his rough clothes, of -his need of a shave, and >he was glad that he at least had rolled down his shirt sleeves. His coat, rolled into a ball, was packed in his duffelbag. He said, V‘I didn’t really think you’d come.” “You wanted me to, didn’t you?” “Naturally, else I wouldn’t have asked where girls like you 'are found. But you were with a man.” “He is a fellow-employee.” “At Trans-Union?” “Yes. He’s engineer there. I do clerical work.” “It’s as odd as it is nice,, finding someone like you in Puerto Blanco. Do you really belong here? You don’t sound British/’ “I’m American, here quite a while- My .father was- slight break in also She look. swaggei* arm and the Casa Ibreath. came in. liad "but" I’ve lived ■off and on —” There was a her voice. “—was by Trans-Union.” another searching arrived tonight?” CLANDEBOYE W. I. Womens Institute meeting was held at the home of Mrs. Arthur Hodgins with Mrs. Frank Hardy presiding. Scripture lesson was read by Mrs. Rupert Williams. Mrs. Roy McRann reviewed cur­ rent events. A paper QU historical research, was prepared by .Mrs. Ek Dewis. Reports were given on the Western Ontario Area Convention. Mrs, Andy Carter won the contest HARPLEY Mr* Wm. Brow attended Royal Winter Fair in Toronto Week. Nurse Helen Love, of Dondon, spent the week-end with her par- ents, Mr. and Mrs. Wm, Love. Mr. Fred Shettler, of Buffalo, who has been, spending a . few weeks ut the home of Mr. Bigin Webb on the b. Line, returned to his home this week. I HU MA N people in ev y of prise b0"°of one of these from th R an expert was Mr- • servlce with baker, who, afte a thC nOrhoValebakeryagain. small wholesale he Lacking * _ obtained a came to the B of M, ing ”°d _T" ^BuseBotMlo»“s the last Mr, and. Mrs* J* Carruthers spent Sunday evening at the home* of Mr. George Hodgins at Cedar Swamp, Mr, and Mrs, C, K. Love celebra­ ted their wedding .anniversary with guests present from Parkhill,’ Lon­ don and Grand Bend. ' ** ’ Mr* and Mrs, Robt. Pesjardine 'moved to •their new home on the Mollard Pine last week. ’ Mr. and Mrs, Verne Ridley and Mr. and Mrs. Howard Desjardine bpent Friday evening with Mr. and Little Dorothy had ft bright yel­ low canary at home and one day she went out tq a Mother’s Club meeting with her mother* in -the room Wris a cage containing a pair of green parakeets. Dorothy kept looking at them, and presently -she asked: “Mummy, what’s the mat­ ter with those canaries? Aren’t they ripe?” ’Mrs, Orval Farrell on tlie Mollard Line. Newsprint Going Up Newsprint, the raw material from which this newspaper ia made nnd goes into the manufact­ ure of counter .check books and many other Hues has advanced in price three tiines within the past five months, In Jupe Newsprint prices were .advanced $9.00 per ton; in August prices advanced $7.00 per ton and in October the advance in price was ? 10.00 per ton.' fi’om the was dook­ in to town '“Well, it was a nice extra money ig for you to <ever made it.” So he picked up his Weht ashore and he came hundred-odd men from (He walked alohg with them and he could tell by their eagerness and lighthearted talk that this was the first they had been overseas. Jim could have told them how dull they Were going to find it. He had vis­ ited a lot Of tro-pic islands like San Cristobal. Then at Watched the at the girt in the station wagon. He paused and looked her over while lighting one of Bob’s vile cigarettes. He wasn't sure that this Was the girt but he could See tile name oh the side of the station hag and upon the the ship. the! intrii’sectiOft he men wave and whistle employed gave him “You just Yes. Just when, you saw me on the Calle Martinez.” He paused, then, added: “With the men off the freighter.” It was all very casual....too cas­ ual. Jim Britten knew a man didn’t pick up a girl like this so easily. He felt increasingly uneasy; he re­ membered the police inspector who had looked him over and that, Com­ bined with the girl’s friendliness, made him wonder if he had ibeen as clever 'as he thought. “I want to be sure of you.” 'She folded her arms before her on the table and leaned forward. Her voice was softer, hut tenSe. “And now that I am sure of you, I have an offer to make you. Would you like to make this really a date?” Jim looked squarely at her, and her eyes seemed full of promises. He felt hiri ‘pulse quicken. He nod­ ded, and said. “I’m more man than mouse, il hope.” He Wasn’t being clever now, or even cautious, Next Weeks Jim Britten makes a Serious mistake* "I hofte you ing while yon “Not at all, I can heat the don't mind my eat- smoke?' madam, as long as orchestra/'' behind BofM Personal Loans helped no less than 157,020 people during the past year—people like Mr. A. L. T., who needed money to help him finish con­ structing his own home. He gat three B of M Personal Loans, totalling more than $600, over a period of 18 months, and he has paid them off regularly in monthly instalments. Now his home is in fine shape and the loans are repaid. Interest cost of loans: $32.53. Over 500 people from every walk of life come to the B of M every business day to borrow for personal needs. Banking is not the mysterious business some people are inclined to think it. In its fundamentals, it no more complex than any other type of business. The chief difference is that, instead of dealing in goods, your bank deals in money . . , money which belongs mainly to you and to the many other Canadians who deposit their funds with the bank. At the B of M, for instance, well over a million people have placed on deposit close to one and three-quarter billion dollars, This money doesn’t stand idle ... it works to earn its keep. This is why, as you will see here, some of the dollars left at the B of M are lent to merchants, businessmen and manufac­ turers to assist them in their operations, while others are used to finance the needs of governments. Some enable farmers to improve their farms, buy machinery and market crops. Many others go out to help citizens in their day-to-day financing — in meeting emergencies and in taking advantage of opportunities. The sum total of all these transactions makes interesting reading, not so much on account of the figures themselves, but because of the human stories behind them. At the close of the B of M’s business year, it seems a good thing for these dollars to shoW what they have been doing and for the Bank to report on the trans­ actions which it has undertaken for its customers from coast to coast. Farmers all across the Domi­ nion use theB of M to finance their needs in buying seed, cattie and machinery—in marketing crops-and in im- proving their farms generally, his means more,prosperous farming communities — and bigger agricultural produc­ tion to meet the urgent needs of a hungry world. Typical of these go-ahead farmers is Mr. R. B. L„ who wanted to clear and break 50 acres on his farm. The job would cost $325, but his ready cash amounted to only $125. With the aid of a B of M farm improvement loan of $200, he completed the job and has considerably in- creased the production and profits from his farm To municipalities, school dis- ^icts and governments, the B of Mis constantly lending money for undertakings’that benefit the whole community. Take the case of an Ontario town, which—to pay for a new sewage system-was selling debentures amounting to $305,000. The Bank of Montreal bought 44 % of the issue, a total of $134,000, which is now being used by the town to complete the undertaking. Many municipalities use the B of M’s facilities to finance community improvements and to handle their financial transactions generally. If you are a B of M depositor, then it may be your money which assisted Mr. P. R. B. to buy his bakery—which helped Mr. A. L. T. finish constructing his home— which enabled Farmer R. B; L. to make his farm more pro­ fitable—and which helped finance the new sewage sys­ tem for the Ontario town; That working money of yours is part of $1,700,000,000 which well over a million Canadians have deposited at 498 B ofM branches from coast to coast. Each one of the 1,531,658 B ofM deposit accounts is an expression of trust in Canada’s first-estab­ lished bank, which has been working with Canadians in every walk of life for 129 years; WHAT THE B of M HAS IN RESOURCES TO MEJET ITS OBLIGATIONS: LOANS: During the year, many millions of dollars have been lent to business and industrial enterprises for production of every kind, including housing and construction — to farmers, fisher­ men, lumbermen and ranchers — to citizens ih all walks of life, and to Provincial and Municipal Governments and School Districts. These loans now amount to .... .................................... WHAT THE B of M OWES TO OTHERS DEPOSITS: While many business firms, manufacturers, merchants, farmers and people in every type of business have large deposits with the B of M, the bulk of the money on deposit with the Bank is the savings of more than a million private citizens. The total of all deposits is...................................................................... BANK NOTES: B of M bills in circulation,, which are payable on presentation, amount to............................................................... OTHER LIABILITIES: Miscellaneous items, representing mainly commitments undertaken by the Bank on behalf of customers in their foreign and domestic trade transactions totalling $21,538,615.59................................................................................... TOTAL OF WHAT THE BofM OWES ITS DEPOSITORS AND OTHERS............................................................................ - TO PAY ALL IT OWES, THE B of M HAS TOTAL RE- SOURCES, AS SHOWN ON THE LEFT SIDE OF THIS STATEMENT, AMOUNTING TO.......................................... WHICH MEANS THAT THE BofM HAS RESOURCES, OVER AND ABOVE WHAT IT OWES, AMOUNTING TO This figure of $79,256,285.81 is made up of money subscribed by the shareholders who own the Bank and, to some extent, of profits which have from time to time been ploughed back into the business to broaden the Bank's services.* $ * PROFITS: After making provision for contingencies, for depreda­ tion of Bank premises, furniture, and equipment, the B of M reports a profit (including an adjustment in United Kingdom Taxes 1938-46) for the twelve months ended October 31st, 1946 $ 10,263,782.91 Provision for Income and Excess Profits’Taxes............................ 5,776,000.00 Leaving a net profit of..........................................* Of this amount, shareholders (paid dividends at the rate of 80 cents a year, plus an extra distribution of 15 cents, for each $10-share of the Bank) received or will receive Thus, the net amount to be added to the balance of profits from previous years’ operations is.................................. . . $ Balance in the Profit and Loss Account at October 31st, 1945, amounted to ..............................................................* . . . $1,736,212,708.35 STransferred to Reserve Fund, which now amounts to $42,000,000 and is included in the shareholders’ funds of $79,256,285.81 mentioned above ...................................................................... , Leaving a balance id the Profit arid Loss Account at October 31st, 1946, at Bank, or Montreal