SECRET WEALTH

Hokitika Guardian, 10 May 1932, Page 6

SECRET WEALTH

OLD MAN’S BEQUESTS

£22,000 LEFT TO RELATIVES,

AUCKLAND, May v

Bequests totalling £22,000 to relatives in Ireland, whose addresses are not known for certain, were made by an old man, named C. Spencer, who lived in a city boarding-house.

He, wore a battered hat and old) clothes and only a few people knew he had any money beyond what was required for his needs, which were few. He made hisj will in a few lnes, bur ti is understood, that his effects, when an examination was mad'e, contained no other document, or even a letter. Mr Spencer, who was 68 years of age, came from Australia in 1891 with £roo or .£3OO. He knew how to manage a farm and bought land cheap in the Waiuku district, which he eventually sold for £IO,OOO. He used to fatten stock'for the, Westfield market where he was known for liis unvarying attendance andl the prime quality of his cattle.

Though lie never married he was not lonely, , lmt lie was very reserved. He loved to hear football experiences recounted on Saturday nights. His friends realised that he had money hut did not know how much. He has left it to brothers and sisters in Ireland, about whom lie seldom spoke. Some time ago, lie was knocked down by a truck, -and that was the beginning of the end, causing him to wander in his mind.