An Unexpected Windfall.

Manawatu Standard, Volume X, Issue 1464, 25 September 1885, Page 4

An Unexpected Windfall .

A remarkable story of a deed executed m Melbourne 24 years ago has just been brought to light through the instrumentality of Mr Cliotnley, Chief Commissioner of Police. A few weeks ago Mr Chomley received a letter from a solicitor m, Scotland, asking him to make enquiries concerning a man named Thomas Burn, a native of Dublin, at onetime carrying on business' as a com mission agent m Melbourne. This letter stated that recently a mm died m Scotland possessed of a considerable amount of wealth andleaving no relatives. Amongst his papers was found the copy of a deed which was executed by him m Melbourne 24 years ago, whereby he sold all his expectations unde hia father's will to Thomas Burn, for a sum of £400. The solicitor new wished to know if Thomas Burn could be found m the Colony. The Chief Commissioner at once set to work, and after some difficulty discovered Burn who is now about 67 years old, living m very reduced circumstances .with his mother, m a. ' garret m Lygon-street, Carlton. At firot he,, could remember, nothing about the deed, but on his memory being jogged, the circumstance gradually came back to him, and he ultimately proved to be the man sought for. It seems that the original deed was at the time of execution handed to a solicitor wrho oarried on business m Queen-. <stre&t, where for years it lay amongst a heap of mouldy paper. In course of time the solicitor, thinking it was of no value, placed it with the rubbish, and it was destroyed. The old man cried for joy when " he heard of his good luck. His claim now amounts to about £2000, and there is now doubt as to his right to the money, which at present is lodged m the H igh Court of Scotland .