HEIR TO FORTUNE

Hokitika Guardian, 30 December 1933, Page 6

HEIR TO FORTUNE

TEMPORARY DESTITUTION

YOUNG CANADIAN’S ROMANCE

Son of a millionaire financier and heir to a large fortune, Howard Jones, a 25-years-okl Canadian, has been receiving ration relief in Brisbane during the last few weeks. Left stranded some months ago when a comfortable allowance from liis family unaccountably ceased, bis plight had reached a point almost of desperation when he received official news of his father’s death and of a substantial legacy bequeathed to himself. Documentary evidence in respect to his irheritance was submitted to the police in support of his application for temporary State aid. Jor.es was one of a group of men who visited the Brisbane police station some Weeks ago seeking rations. Youthful in appearance, he was attired in a dark suit, soiled with hard usage, but of unmistakably good cut and quality. To the police officer in charge of the ration ticket issue he gave liis name, speaking with a pronounced American accent, blit beyond stating that he was destitute volunteered little further information.

"When told that a more detailed inquiry was necessary before he could receive rations, the young man gradually expanded, and then, encouraged by the sympathetic interest displayed by the official, broke doivn and related his amazing story. BREAGH OF PROMISE ACTION Jones stated that lie was a native of Victoria, British Columbia, his father being one of the wealthiest citizens and a leading figure in Masonic circles in that province. The youth has been given an expensive education at a New York university, but later had disappointed liis family by getting involved in a breach of promise action. This had culininated, lie said, Hi a law suit against him, the claim for damages totalling ISO,OOO dollars (about £30,000). The publicity given to the matter served only to widen the breach with his family, but liis father had intervened to the extent of offering 50,000 dollars for a private settlement. When this offer was refused his father had washed his hands of the whole affair.

Upon Jones’ leaving the country liis father relented somewhat and made him a comfortable Although not large allowance. The money was received regularly on his travels, being augmented by occasional cash presents from his mother, who apparently was in secret sympathy with him. Jones was in Sydney earlier in the year and went to Brisbane about four months ago. The remittance then ceased and lie believed thaV’his father' had withdrawn liis support.

Then followed an'unsuccessful sefirch by Jones for employment. His casn dwindled rapidly and after a month in Brisbane he found himself practically destitute. Then the absence of news from home was explained by a communication from his father’s legal advisers informing him of his father’s death some months before and acquainting him briefly with the terms of the will.

BENEFITS UNDER THE WILL Whatever doubts the young mail’s story might have aroused in the police officials mind were dispelled when Jones produced the letter from the lawyers in addition to a number of letters from his father. The solicitors’ letter set out briefly that the bulk of the estate had been left to the widow, but a substantial sum had been placed in trust for the son. From this fund, the will stipulated, Jones was to receive a regular monthly allowance of about 250 dollars (about £SO) until reaching the age of 35 years, when, providing he was free of any domestic entanglement lie was to inherit the whole cf the money. As the only son Jones was also heir to the mother’s fortune, the value of which was estimated at considerably more than one million dollars.

Jones stated that he had not yet received the first allowance and until it ■came liis plight was desperate. His face expressed his relie* when the police official, after a few formal preliminaries, granted his application. It was hot his intention to return immediately to Canada, Jones said. When his money arrived lie would probably continue his travels throughout the East.