Huge Fortune If You Are The Right Edwards

Chronicle (Levin), 11 April 1949, Page 5

Huge Fortune If You Are The Right Edwards

(N.Z.P.A.-

-RBUtBT j

Covvriaht)

Ivecoivod Sunday, 7 p.m. SYDNEY, April 10. A chnm for the Manhattan Tsland fortune of £266,000,000 is heing made by Vietor Edwards, aged 4S, miralor of the conviet graveyard at Norfolk Island. He' is descendod on his mother's side from 11m Bonnty mutineer, Quintal. II is father, Charles Robert Towns Edwards, aged 75, is named as joint elaimant. Vietor Edwards elaims direct deseent through John Henry Edwards and his father from Robert Edwards who established the -Manhattan fortune. The Edwai'ds estate c-onsists of 40 aeres on Manhattan Islapd, New York, ineluding Wall Street. Rohei't Edwards migrated from Mfales to America in 1830 and married a wealthy Duteh woman, Ihus gaining eontrol of the land. ^Mhen the United States Govern-

ment lease expired, the probate authorities advertised for heirs to the fortune. Yietor Edwards has instrncted a New Zealand lawyer to fight the case and has filed a claim with the probate office. Aceording to Government officials on' tlie 7 island there is no doubt that he has a claim. The administrator, Mr. "Wilson, is so impressed that.he has writt^n to the probate authorities in New York. The claim is based on the belief that Robert Edwards gave his son, John Henry Edwards, who died on. Norfolk in 1906, titles to the Manhattan land. John Henry Edwards was captain of the pkip which carried b.ack to Pitcairn, the Rounty descendants who refused to livp on Norfolk. 'On his deathbed John Henry Edwards told the family tney woiild have no trouble in proving the claim.