CLAIM TO A TITLE.

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1288, 17 November 1911, Page 3

CLAIM TO A TITLE.

AUCKLAND PAINTER'S MISSION. An entertaining story was told to an Auckland "Star" rep_rc«otativo mi Wednesday of tho good fortune of an Auckland resident in the succession to a title. The following paragraph, sent in to tho "Star" office, led to a nporter making further inquiries. The paragraph read: "The Right Honourable Flcetwood Charles Donnelly left by-the Victoria last Monday, en route, to England, to join his father, the Earl of Athenroy, who has lately succeeded to the title. Tho Earl and his son expect to arrive in the Dominion early in tho New Year."

As an earnest of the bona fides of the statement contained in the paragraph, the office was referred to a well-known city business man. Inquiries in this quarter elicited the information that Mr. Donnelly was a young man who, arriving in Auckland at the age of 17, had for the last fifteen years followed the occupation of a painter in the city, and that it was understood he had come of a very good family. He had left last Monday on receipt of a letter from his father, statins that he had proved his cle.iui to tho title.

Further inquiry enabled tho pressman to secure an interview with Mr. Donnelly's mother, the lady who, if the claim is proved, is tk' Countess of Athenroy and Oakleigh. She stated that her liujbaud. had written to fay that he had proved his claim to the title and estates, And that her son had gone Home to join his father in settling preliminaries before she also proceeded to the Old Country. The estates, die said, were vast and unencumbered, and wero situated near Gal way, in Ireland. Her husband wus.the grandson of Major Donnelly, who was the younger brother of the late Earl of Athenroy. Failim; the direct; issue tlio title had reverted to her husband's branch of tho family. It was ako men, tloned that inquiry mado through (he Justico Department in New Zealand for missing heirs had enabled the rightful claimant to make good his title. On inquiry of Inspector Cullen, it was warned (hat no official inquire for i o <4 lien-s to such a title had' been mafc through lum. On tho other hand he had inquired into tho Donnelly family's claims which had been brought n » his ™tice, and though Mr. Flechvood mat ins lather liad secured a title he (Inspector CuHen) was satisfied, „' t e result ot tho investigations hs had m-ide