XIIIExisting Banks of Issue to continue, under certain Limitations.
And be it enacted, That every Banker claiming under this Act to continue to issue Bank Notes in England or Wales shall, within One Month next after the passing of this Act, give Notice in Writing to the Commissioners of Stamps and Taxes at their Head Office in London of such Claim, and of the Place and Name and Firm at and under which such Banker has issued such Notes during the Twelve Weeks next preceding the Twenty-seventh Day of April last; and thereupon the said Commissioners shall ascertain if such Banker was on the Sixth Day of May One thousand eight hundred and forty-four carrying on the Business of a Banker, and lawfully issuing his own Bank Notes in England or Wales, and if it shall so appear then the said Commissioners shall proceed to ascertain the average Amount of the Bank Notes of such Banker which were in circulation during the said Period of Twelve Weeks preceding the Twenty-seventh Day of April last, according to the Returns made by such Banker in pursuance of the [4 & 5 Vict. c. 50.] Act passed in the Fourth and Fifth Years of the Reign of Her present Majesty, intituled An Act to make further Provision relative to the 'Returns to be made by Banks of the Amount of their Notes in circulation; and the said Commissioners or any Two of them shall certify under their Hands to such Banker the said Average Amount, when so ascertained as aforesaid; and it shall be lawful for every such Banker to continue to issue his own Bank Notes after the passing of this Act: Provided nevertheless, that such Banker shall not at any Time after the Tenth Day of October One thousand eight hundred and forty-four have in circulation upon the Average of a Period of Four Weeks, to be ascertained as hereinafter mentioned, a greater Amount of Notes than the Amount so certified.