In the early days of railway enterprise there was often much difficulty
in obtaining the punctual payment of calls from the shareholders. The
Leicester and Swannington line was thus troubled. The Secretary,
adopting a rather novel way to collect the calls, wrote to the
defaulters:—“I am therefore necessitated to inform you, that unless the
sum of £2 is paid on or before the 22nd instant, your name will be
furnished to one of the principal and most pressing creditors of the
company.” The missives of the Secretary generally had the desired
effect.