DEBTS OF A DUKE

Evening Star, Issue 22440, 10 September 1936, Page 6

DEBTS OF A DUKE

LAVISH ENTERTAINMENT On the strength of possible funds becoming available through a contemplated marriage with a wealthy widow, Edward Fitzgerald, Duke of Leinster, of Portland Place, London, is said to have incurred heavy debts for the purpose of lavish entertaining in New York. This statement was made recently by the Senior Official Receiver at the first meeting of the creditors of the Duke of Leinster in London. There had been four earlier failures, reported the Official Receiver. In two cases the debts had been paid in full, but in the third, when debts amounted to £31,203, and the fourth, when debts were £56,592, no application had been made for discharge. In the present case proofs of debts amounting to £22,122 were called over, and notice was given of other claims to be made against the estate. In 1929 there were divorce proceedings, the decree being made absolute in 1930. During the winter of 1929, went on the Official Receiver, the duke had entertained lavishly in New York, and had borrowed for that purpose something like £12,000 to £15,000. He was contemplating marria, . with a rich widow, and had entered into those commitments on the strength of funds becoming available from that source. _ The duke had stated that he had not lived beyond his income during the last three years, but had to borrow moneys to pay creditors and law costs. Negotiations had been proceeding for the past few years with a view to the repurchase of the duke’s life interest in the Leinster estates. The Official Receiver understood the duke was selling that interest to get money to pav his debts. On behalf of the duke, Mr W. G. Curtis applied for an adjournment for one month to enable a scheme to be lodged. . Mr F. S. Salaman was appointed trustee with a commission of inspection. It was stated that the liabilities now amounted to about £109;000.,