(11, p. 69.)

Our Wellington merchants felt the pressure of the times in some degree analogous to that felt by the working man, although in some respects of a different kind. For instance, the working man or labourer felt the scarcity of remunerative employment so as to meet the daily wants of a young family, while the merchant felt a scarcity of cash to enable him to make such purchases whereby he could realise a sure return with profits as the source of his livelihood, unless the Manager of the Bank would advance the means. At this time of difficulty the Manager gained to himself the cognomen of “Johnny Box,” because of his stinginess; and it was said of him, in one of the letters which sometimes figure in the columns of the Wellington Independent Newspaper, that he believed in nothing but oil, wool, and flax—showing that only on such things he would grant discounts on bills. Besides, I heard a merchant say, that when he wanted to get a bill discounted he had only to draw a piece of flax under Johnny’s nose, which was to him a powerful charm in softening his heart.