In the year 1859 the first move was made towards that important improvement, the establishment of the Post Office Savings Bank; Mr. Edward Baines, M.P. for Leeds, enclosing to me unofficially, but with a request for attention, a paper on the subject, drawn up by Mr. Charles William Sikes, of Huddersfield, the originator of the plan. I wrote on August 2nd to express my concurrence in Mr. Sikes’s views, and my readiness to do what I could towards giving them effect. My letter was as follows:—
“August 2nd, 1859.
“My dear Sir,—Pray excuse the unavoidable delay in replying to your letter of the 30th ult.
“With modifications which could readily be introduced, Mr. Sikes’s plan is, in my opinion, practicable so far as the Post Office is concerned.
“The plan also appears to me to be practicable in its other parts; but on these I would suggest the expediency of taking the opinion of some one thoroughly conversant with ordinary banking business, and who is acquainted also with Savings Banks.
“I need not add that, if carried into effect, the plan would in my opinion, prove highly useful to the public, and, in some degree, advantageous to the revenue.
“I shall be most happy, when the time arrives for so doing, to submit it for the approval of the Postmaster-General.
“Faithfully yours,
“Rowland Hill.
“E. Baines, Esq., M.P., Reform Club.”
Mr. Sikes, I must not omit to say, never received nor ever sought any advantage, pecuniary or otherwise, in recompense for his admirable suggestion, contenting himself with the deep gratification of having done what lay in his power to confer an inestimable benefit on the humbler classes of his countrymen.