Death of the Duke of Westminster.

Manawatu Herald, 28 December 1899, Page 3

Death of the Duke of Westminster.

'■..' ♦ The death is announced of the Duke of Westminster, aged 72. The deceased was the richest man in the world, his wealth being principally in real estate. Its value and earnings are little affected by outside causes. For a century indeed the only variation has been an increase of value and rentals. The duke was interested in many commercial enterprises and railway and other corporations, but, as was said, the bulk of his belongings is in the nature of real estate, business blocks, market places, houses and farms. His income ranged from £800--0-000 to £1,000,000 annually. It is not so grp-* as that of several Americans, whose aggregate wealth is much less than that of Westminster, but if their returns are larger their risk is greater. The duke's belongings, real and perMfc sonal amount to abdut £35,000,000. ■ He has been married twice, the first time in 1852. His wife was Lady Constance Gertrude Leweson-Gower, daughter of George Granville, Duke of Sutherland. They had eleven children, of whom six are now living. The first duchess died in 1880, and in 1883 the > duke married Katherine Caroline Cavendish, daughter of Lord Chesham. They have three children. The duke's popularity was as great as his wealth. His horses were the pride of his life. His stud farm is the estate on which his principal country seat, Eaton Hall, is situated. This is in Chester, near ' - Hawarden, the home of Gladstone. The lords of the stud are the great Ben dOr and Ormonde.