SAVING A HOME

Hokitika Guardian, 28 June 1933, Page 8

SAVING A HOME

TITLED WOMAN’S TEA-GARDEN.

DEATH DUTIES AND TAXATION.

Three ni,iles from Tarporley, Cheshire, at v the end of a long woodland drive, is the entrance to Uuitou Park, cue country seat ot one of Me most ancient and distingmsiied families m Uioslure. inside. tne lodge gates is a tea garden hall for . visitors to the park. 'ine. woman in charge of the tea garden is Lady Grey-Lgertoo, wi.e of the twelfth baronet. Aiumission is charged to visitors to the park, and Me tea is a commercial undertaking. Lady Grey-Egerton, with the consent of her husband, Sir Philip, who is at present in India, decided to try to make l money for the express purpose of saving the family seat. High taxation, a disastrous fire seven years ago 'which destroyed the 300-year-old hall and its valuable contents, and other cireumstauces made if. imperative to sell land and reduce staff. The motto on the family coat-of-arms is “I trust not in arms hut in valour.” It is the spirit of this motto which has influenced Lady Grey-Egerton in her new work.

The tea hall near the lodge was the idea of Lady Grey-Egerton. She had it built, and engaged a woman to manage it, although she herself supervises and helps with the work. “There is nothing remarkable in me doing this,” she says. “Death duties and taxation have caused many county families to soli property and earn money in different ways. I can honestly say that I enjoy the work—but it is meant to be work and not just a hobby.” Lady Grey-Egerton, who is an Australian, is helped in her work by her daughter, Mrs Power a’d granddaughter, Miss Faith Power,