MISER M.P.’S RELICS.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXIX, Issue 3762, 21 March 1907, Page 3

MISER M.P.’S RELICS.

At a sale of autograph letters and manuscripts at Messrs Sotheby’s there came up for disposal a curious collection of relics of John Elwes, a notorious miser, who sat in three Parliaments. Elwes was born in 1714, and was the son of a successful brewer. Throughout his life he walked many miles in order to save the expense of a conveyance. Rain did not deter him, and when he got wet through he sat for hours to dry his clothes, and thus saved the expense of a fire. It is said of him that he frequently risked his life to save pence that ought to have been paid at the turnpike gates' during the course of his travels. His sole recreation was hunting in Berkshire. He had an income of many thousands, but he always loitered about the House of Commons in the hope that some of the members would accommodate him with a dinner and a ride home. He died worth nearly half a million pounds. The relics sold at Southeby’s realised only,a small sum.