Question 360. - Would a Canadian teller be justified in paying a cheque with two lines across the face? I take it that if a cheque were crossed to, say the Bank of Montreal, it would have to go to the credit of the payee's account in that bank - that is, would have to be deposited to the man's credit, and the teller could not legally pay out the cash for it.

Answer. - A teller would not be justified in paying cash over the counter for a crossed cheque, whether the crossing be special or general - that is, with two lines only, or with the name of a bank in addition to the lines. A crossed cheque should only be received for credit of the account of a customer - not necessarily the payee - at the bank to which it is crossed, or, if crossed generally, at a bank. Of course a bank may cash any crossed cheque, under any circumstances, but at its own risk. If the right party receives the money, that ends the matter; if not, the bank might not have the protection afforded by clauses 173 or 175 for payments made in the regular course.