£1,400,000 CLAIM.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVII, Issue 2518, 3 June 1909, Page 6

£1,400,000 CLAIM.

PRINCESS RADZIWILL AND THE LATE MR. CECIL RHODES. PROMISSORY NOTES. An echo of the claim of Princess Catherine Radziwill of Russia for £l, 400,000 against the estate of the late Mr. Cecil Rhodes came before the Chancery Division London recently on proceeclings taken against the Princess by Mr. William Arthur Gorst. Tho £l, 400,000 claimed by the Princess was alleged by her to bo duo on promissory notes given to her by Mr. Cecil Rhodes. Desiring to raise £17,000 with which to prosecute her claim, the princess entered into an agreement with Mr. Gorst whereby she was to execute a mortgage for £30,000 upon her reversionary interest in her uncle’s estate in Russia. With this mortgage Mr./Gorst was to raiso the money needed by the Princess. This agreement was superseded by two others, one of which was between Mr. Gorst. tho Princess, and a Mr. Walker, managing director .of Messrs. Peter Walker and Sons, and Mr. William Wilson Rutherford, of Liverpool, who were called guarantors. The final agreement was repudiated on the death oF her uncle. , . , , Mr. Gorst claimed £lo,ooo, which he was to havo received under tho agreement, and other sums, iuakihg a total of £11,3-42 9s. Judgment in his action was given in May 190 S, and an inquiry was ordered as to the damage he had sustained. Tho Master found that no damage had been sustained by Mr. Gorst, and the latter now asked the learned judge to vary the Master’s certificate. ’ , , , Mr. Jolly (for Mr. Gorst) stated that at the present time tho Princess was “simply rolling in money.” His lordship asked if her claim against .Mr. Rhodes’s executors was being prosecuted. Mr. Jolly said it was not at present. Mr. Justice Swinfen Eady said lie thought that Mr. Gorst had been badly treated, and awarded him £I,OOO.