MELBA’S WILL

Hokitika Guardian, 10 April 1931, Page 3

MELBA’S WILL

(Australian Press Association.) MELBO l RX K. April I). /I’he cumulative value of Irani .Melba's property wjil not lie known for nup'y mouths, but its a.nproximnte value is two hundred thousand sterling. The V ietorian portion U worth tori', thousand, and the American part at least one hundred thousand. Tb" Diva also owned considerable re 1 'd-.-'l properly in Sydney. During the war, however she suffered heavy losses jn foreign securities. Her son. George'Armstrong, and his wife and daughter. Pamela, are tic residuary henficia ries„ while an annuity of C2oo is provided for l!i<> Diva’s life-long friend. Air John Lemmono. tho noted flautjsl., Al.iss Pamela Armstrong receives Melba’s priceless jewels, wli'eh were tlm gifts of the crowned heads of .Europe during Melba’s heyday. She also reecM-es a lilt l ., brooch of pearls and rubies (hat "■as "resented to Melba by Queen A iet oria. Hosts of relatives, friends and ("ithlul servan's. ril l and nn<>r. 1 )<• i■*ll ucder the v ill. Her valuable ant iou-'S. nietiires. and art. collections, aic !■> be su'd to provide numerous h'gaejes. of vhieh -P.lo'o is booueat.bed to 1 1rs \n"i,, Purcbrs, of RemuOra Road \imkI nl. Era -k and Lucy PurelTas each re'-ive p 2 >OO Another bequest of ebdit D onsanrl pound; go-s in til ' Mellmnrne Conserf , n of .Music. to pro-ide :l Melba Scholarship. The testatrix evlU-' ----"s t!’ hope that another AP'lbn -a - •rise.