THE L’EPINE MILLIONS.

Hokitika Guardian, 28 January 1928, Page 4

THE L’EPINE MILLIONS.

LONDON, Dec. 1. Tile romance of a woman lunatic's fortune, known ns the L’Epine .Millions, was described to .Mr Justice Homer before a crowded Court in the Chancery Division yesterday. The woman's name was Marin L’Epine. of Portsmouth, who died in 1708. The claimants who seek to recover this money from the Crown by means of a petition of right on the ground that they are descendants of the lieirat law of Maria L’Epine are; Amy Knight- Mason. Jane Margaret Mason. Alfred William Mason. Herbert Frederick Mason. Arthur Charles Mason. Emily Eliza Harrison, William Henry Knight. Limy Isabella Coldwcll Knight ami Viscount Bangor. When Maria L’Epine died it was assumed that she was an illegitimate child and as such had no heir-at-law. Being insane she could not make a will and the estate became escheat to the Crown, George- 111 bestowed the property upon Admiral Earl Howe and Ills wife and daughters, but made it a condition that the fund should he restored should a right to it he established. The claim of the present petitioners is based on the assertion flint Maria L’Epine was not illegitimate. her parents, Edward L’Epine and Mary .Tenie L’Epine (nee Eccles), having been secretly married before her birth and that Abigail Eccles, her aunt, wlm married Robert Coldwell. and through whom they claim, was her heir-at-law.

There being no living descendants of the Earl Howe to whom the money was granted, they contend that the money should he restored by the Crown.