A SINGULAR DISCOVERT.

Inangahua Times, Volume III, Issue 86, 7 March 1877, Page 2

A SINGULAR DISCOVERT.

The following circumstances are narrated in the Barrangong Chronicle. A very carious incident occurred at the sale of some effects recently disposed of within a few miles of Toon?, For a long time the deeds of some property concerning a house ani premises and about 100 acres of land were mislaid, and coaid not be discovered. It was supposed that they were irrecoverably lost, and application was made at the Registrar-General's office in Sydney for a copy of the missing documents. The persons interested were unable, however, to give a satisfactory description of the property, and the con* sequence was that their application was not successful, for the simple reason that they could not accurately describe the property conveyed. The family was still in possession of it, however, and did not manifest any farther care io the matter. Upon the death of the surviving parent, which took place recently,, the children began to adjust affairs and to look into the raat'er of the landed property. The same difficulty presented itself as of eld ; the deeds coul i not be found. The furni* ture was sold, amongst which was an old stuffed chair, made ont of an old ale cask, welt padded, and used, exclusively almost, by the departed male parent of the family. This discarded article was removed by one of the sons of the family :■ for some time it was used by him in the parlor;, then it was taken into the bedroom; finally it found its way into the kitchen as a lounging seat for Mary Ann. This son got into difficulties, and gave a bill of sale to one of his creditors over the entire- lot of his effects. The man taking the inventory was pleased with the comfort the old chair afforded him, and having an eye to business,, put it down, with the intention of buying it should it be put up to the hammer,, a result he foresaw was immediately pending. A. few weeks time jns» tified the prediction. The son's effects were sold, and the family being in reduced circumstances, many articles were bought in by private friends for them. The old chair, however, was " spotted *' by thetnan who made the inventory and wm purchased by him for Is 6d. This so exasperated the servant girl, that, taking «P an axe, she deliberately cleft the chair ia twain, when, lo and behold ! was discovered to view in its interior, not only the missing deeds of the property, but a will, and a sum of £900 in notes and gold, and various valuable trinkets. The bailiff was so duicbfoandered that he appeared tohave lust all reflection, for certain it is Mary Anne took possession of her unlaw* fully acquire.! property, which, however,, m all honesty, she immediately handed over to her master and mistress, whoifr joy can well be imagined*