FOR SALE

Hokitika Guardian, 26 April 1932, Page 5

FOR SALE

ENGLSH COUNTRY HOMES.

LONDON, March 3,

The Countess of Oxford' and Asquith has decided to sell her country residence. The Wharf, Sutton Courtney, Berkshire—one of the most famous homtis in the political and social history of the last twenty years.

She arrived at this decision, with considerable distress,Kvaly. after long conferences with members of her family.

It is the culminating point in a series of economies which Lady Oxford hag found necessary to make in recent times..

Lord Oxford, who diod in 1928, left his estate of £9168 to hits son, the Hon, Anthony Asquith, now «, film director, and his daughter, Princess Bibe-seo. The will stated that his widow, the present countess, was provided for . ? 0y a settlement from her father, the late Sir Charles Tennant. Five years ago a number of Lqrd Oxford’s friends and admirerls, headed by Lord Reading, subscribed to a. private gift-, amounting to approximately £20,000, in recognition of his services to the State.

Since her husband’s death Lady Oxford has largely occupied herself with writing her memoirs, a novel, “Octavia,” and numerous articles. It is estimated that her earnings by her pen in the last ten years, have exceeded £45,000.

FORMERLY AN INN. Once a Thames-side mooring place for barges, and later the site of an inn, The Wharf at Sutton Courtney, which is twelve miles from Oxford, was bought bv Lord Oxford, then Mr Alsquith, in 1912. He built on it a modest twostoried, gabled cottage, which quickly became the week-end resort of politicians of all ages and parties, with Lady Oxford 1 as their gay and always witty hostess. “The Wharf” held so strong a place in Lord Oxford’s affections that he arranged many of his momentous wartime consultations there. His grave in Sutton Courtney churchyard is only n| stone’s throw from the beautiful garden which Lady Oxford herself created.