£46,000 WINDFALL.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXV, Issue 1075, 13 March 1913, Page 4

£46,000 WINDFALL.

Through the lucky purchase of a ticket in a Hungarian State lottery, a Staffordshire miner is reported to have won a fortune of Albert Billingham, Ashtree toad, Old Hill, left the district about three years ago to take up the position of assistant foreman intheNamdang Mine, Margberita, Upper Assam, and while there he was persuaded to enter a Government lottery under the auspices of the Benkb Bank, Budapest. At the time he hardly understood the regulations, and though he took the ticket he thought no more about the lottery. The draw was fixed for October 23rd, and three days before Mr Billingham left India for home he received a letter from the promoters of the lottery giving a list of the prize-winners, Irom which he found that his number, 103,885, was the winner of prize-money and a bonus which is roughly estimated at While on his way home Billingham communicated with the Benko Bank requesting that the money Should be forwarded to him at the house of bis Iriends at Old Hill. ■

Billiugham, who is about 40 years of age, before leaving for India, was employed as a miner at No. 30 Colliery, Cradley Heath. Billingham was very reluctant to answer questions as to what he intended to do with the money, but said, “Wait until I get it and then I will let you know.” In reply to a further question he said he should not risk bis life again in the mine.