A WEALTHY PAUPER.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume III, Issue 538, 19 January 1882, Page 3

A WEALTHY PAUPER.

At a meeting of the Barton Regis (Clifton) Board of Guardians the clerk brought under notice a most extraordinaiy case of imposition. Jane Bird, wife of John Bird, who had resided in St George’s, was admitted to Gloucester Asylum on the 27th June last. She had previously been in an asylum in Scotland, and had been in an asyliim in that district in 1870, and was | chargeable to the Barton Regis Union, but she got better. The husband was a pensioner, receiving 14s weekly. Since the removal of his wife to Gloucester the husband had been ill, and consequently there had been no opportunity of making arrangements as to what he should contribute towards; the maintenance of his wife. On the previous occasion he paid the whole of the cost of her keep, with the exception of the Government grant: of 4s. Last Friday while the board was sitting it was stated that the husband died in the Infirmary, and the secretary applied to the relieving officer to bury the body. The relieving officer found L 8 os 3d on the person of the deceased. The body was buried in a respectable manner, and the cost had bceniLg 6s 6d, leaving a balance ofL4 13s gjd." He (the clerk), knowing deceaseji was possessed of money, instructed the relieving officer to go to his house and make search. The result was that there was found a purse containing L4B in gold ; a silver watch, gold and silver chains, trinkets, including gold scarf pins, etc. ; also a deposit note for Li,oßg 10s 4d, at interest in the National Provincial Bank, the note bearing date September 24th, 1880; a dividend, not cashed, for L2 10s, from the Peninsular and Oriental Steamship Company, and a certificate of transfer, dated July, 1866, transferring two share; of LSO in the same company to John land Jane Bird; and a new share on which L 5 had been paid, and another certificate of LSO in the name of John‘and Jane Bird, dated July 28th, 1862.; There was a further certificate for two new shares, dated September 16th 1862. There was also found a lot of 3 per cent, consolidated annuity papers, but the amount named in them appeared to have been sold out. The deeds of the house were also found, dated 28th August, 1868, showing that Li 20 was paid for the property, the solicitors being Messrs Burges and Lawrence. The documents of fire insurance, etc., were found with this, 1 The will of the deceased was also fount!; he left the whole of the property! to the wife, whom the deceased appoints as sole executrix. Lastly, were found receipts showing that deceased was in receipt of 2s per day. The clerk asked the guardians to instruct him as to how he should further proceed. The Board unanimously passed a motion approving of the conduct of the clerk, and it was decided that the Lunacy Commissioners should be asked for directions as to how the property should be dealt with.