TRAGIC DEATH

Hokitika Guardian, 21 September 1928, Page 4

TRAGIC DEATH

WEALTHY- SYDNEY MAN. CAREER. OF MB, LEBBEUS HORDERN. SYDNEY, Sept. 13. Mr Lebbous Hordeni, whose death occurred in tragic circumstances in Sydney this week, was remarkable tts being by far the richest man of leisure in Australia. It is said that ho had two millions sterling to play with, and nothing to ifo. Being only seventeen when his father died, he held equal shares with his two elder broth, ers in a vast estate. Capital accumulated, and when he came of age lie had an income of £IOO,OOO a year. He took no pitrt in the Hordern business, (which was later passed to a public company, but ho dabbled in aviation and aesthetics. He seemed to drift from one thing to another, always at a loss what to do with his groat wealth. Once he turned his patronage to art and brought back from a European tour pictures and statuary worth £30,000. He started in Sydney the Cavalier care as a social toy, but quickly tired of it. Then he had musical moments and wrote and composed songs. It was just before the war that aviation took bis fancy. Ho bought the first seaplane seen in 'Port Jackson, and a French aviator, Guillaux, taught him to fly. Insurance companies trembled when be started to fly; as his life was insured for £250,009. The late Mr Hordern subsequently presented the ’plane to 11.M.A.5. Australia. He bought another, which was used on the survey of the Eastern Australian coast. Later he imported li third ’plane, but never took the trouble to unpack it. His last interest in aviation was when, its a member of the Aero Club, he gave a cheque for £SOOO to Kingston! Smith and Dim.

In 1912 the late Mr Hordern married Miss Olga Clare Monio, the daughter of, a moderptelv wealthy Sydney contractor. Their voluntary separation in 1919 was marked by a tax-free allowance of £3OOO a year, much the heaviest sustenance ever agreed to in Australia; heavier than the £90,00 a. year (less taxes) allowed in England to Lady Dudley by Lord Dudley, once Governor-General e.t Australia. The proceedings in the famous “Hordcn divorce” commenced in 1921. . Air Hordern withdrew the petition against his wife, and evidence in her petition against him was taken' by commission in England. The divoT.? was followed by bis marriage to Miss Barry nearly two years ago—a marriage which caused a sensation in society circles in Sydney. His first wife lives in a. pretty flat in the Champs Elysees, Paris, where she awaits the arrival of her son, now fourteen years eld, who lias just completed a visit to his father. The boy is being brought up in Europe and sneaks several different languages. He is heir to £2.000,000.

The Horderns lived at Hopewood H-use, Darling Point, and the night before Mr Hordern’s death a gay pnrtv was held there in honour of the visiting grand opera stars. Such parties at the beautiful home, one of the sights of Sydney, were rare events. The Horderns seldom entertained more than their small circle of friends. The late Mr Hordern had a model farm in the country hut lie seldom visited it. It was elaborately oquioped but it was only another liohhy. of its wealthy owner of which he soon tired. The late Mr Hordern was a man of many moods, and lie had been a sufferer from insomnia for soipe. months. Apparently lie tool: ail overdose of some sedative in an effort to induce sleep. At any rate it was reported by the police to the Coroner that, death had been duo to misadventure. In the circumstances it was rather surprising that the Coroner decided that it would be unnecessary to hold tin inquest. The fa-t remains that Lebbctis Hordern will bo remembered as a man who was very generous with his acquaintances, but to whom life had little interest, Silent anil moody, lie was nearly always at iv loss how to spend his time and his immense wealth.