OFFERED WIDOW

Hawke's Bay Herald-Tribune, Volume 81, Issue 12, 7 October 1937, Page 6

OFFERED WIDOW

Peer Tells Story in Bankruptcy Court A peer co^fessed in the London Bankruptcy Court that another man had helped him to find a rich American wido.w to marry,. and that she had paid 2;000 to' settle matters. with his first wife. ; ^ ' :• THe peer. was Lord Cobham, I6th Baron. Re was accompanied by a-uni-formed nurse. His liabilities were given as £2,639 and his assets £23. '■ ■ The examination had been adjourned j. on previous occasions because of his ill- • ness. ' '• ' ■ In December, 1934, he bought Washj ingley Hall, with about 50 acres, tor ! about "15,000, which he raised by mortgages. I It was arrangcd that the vendor should continue to oecupy the propertyat a rental which would be enough to rneet the mo'rt-gage interest. . The vendor defaulted in the payment of the' Tent and bankruptcy followed. Lord Cobham . said the cause of all his troubles was his association with a Mr. Harry Shaw, the vendor of Washingley Hall. Official Receiver: You met him in 1934? — Yes. We discussed whether he could find me direetorships. I heard him ring up a person called Richards and say to him: "Willie, I have a live lord here. He might be very •useful." "Did Mr. Shaw suggest and assist you to find a rich lady with a view to marrying her?" — Yes. Shaw suggested I should purchase Washingley Hall, and I met a rich American widow who was cohtemplating a Second marriage. He added that Shaw told him the womap was prepared to make a cash payment of £5000 and a baldnce of £25,000 was to be provided by way of bills. At that time his first wife was threatening proceedings and Shaw undertook" negotiations to get rid of them. Eventually there was a general settlement under which his first wife was paid £2500 by the second wife, in consideration of which the former surrendered bills- for £14,750 previously given ber, and.a mortgage for £3000. The examination was closed.