The court may, at any time, on reasonable notice to the escheator, increase or reduce the penalty of the bond; provided that in no case shall such penalty be reduced to less than $1,000. If an escheator be required to give a bond with increased penalty and he fail to give it within a reasonable time to be prescribed by the court, such failure shall be deemed a neglect of official duty within the meaning of § 55-169. Upon bond being given under an order increasing or reducing the penalty of a former bond, the sureties in such former bond and their estates shall be discharged from all liability for any breach of official duty committed by such escheator after that time.
Code 1919, § 491.