OLD MAN’S FORTUNE

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume XXIII, Issue 227, 7 September 1933, Page 10

OLD MAN’S FORTUNE

FOUND AFTER DEATH IN POVERTY. HUNDREDS OF CLAIMANTS. SYDNEY, Aug. 30. The Master in Equity will shortly begin a formidable inquiry to determine the rightful heir, or heirs, from among hundreds of claimants, of an Irish-born octagenarian, who was believed to be a pauper when he died in the Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, but who actually possessed a considerable fortune. Martin Edward Burke died at the hospital in June, 1923. He was apparently about 80 years of age, without friends, and so far as could be learned without kith and kin. He was on tho point of being buried as a pauper when an official of the Public Trustee’s department, examining his papers, found that he was a rich man. Burke had lived in a miserly, pov-erty-stricken fashion in Darlinghurst for some years, but investigation revealed that he was possessed of nearly £40,000. He left no will, and the estate passed to the Public Trustee for administration as an intestasy. Efforts to get into touch with relatives were made by advertisement in many parts of the world, with the result that more than 700 claims from Burkes in Ireland, England, America, and other countries reached the Public Trustee. Some of these claims are said to be obviously based on misconception, but the number to be seriously investigated as of possible heirs of Burke is considerable. The latest claim to be received was from Mrs Lilian Schultz, a resident of California. A letter from her addressed to the probate office, and forwarded by the registrar to the Public Trustee, is accompanied by the copy of a will executed by one, Thomas Burke, at Washing (U.S.A.) in 1901, leaving his estate to his wife and her heirs. Thomas Burke, said Mrs Schultz, was born in Ireland in 1840, migrated to the United States, and in 1899 married in the State of Washington. He had a son, Herbert Burke, but soon after the son’s birth, he disappeared from San Francisco, and took the name of “Martin Edward Burke.” Mrs Schultz said that she married the son, Herbert Burke, in 1919, and that he died in 1922, leaving her his sole heir. She in her letter made formal claim to her father-in-law’s estate. The claim will go to the Master in Equity for consideration with the others already listed. The matter of determniing the next of kin of Martin Edward Burke was referred to the Master bv Mr Justice Long Innes, and on the Master’s certificate being furnished the Court will proceed to the hearing of tho summons for directions as to distribution of the estate.