BURIED TREASURE.

Putaruru Press, Volume IV, Issue 147, 26 August 1926, Page 2

BURIED TREASURE.

TUNNEL FOUND UNDER PALACE A subterranean passage of medieval origin was .recently discovered at Weybridge, Surrey (England), during de- fvelopmen't of the old Palace Gardens as a ho'U'sfing site: (says tlie. Loin don. 1 Daily 'Chronicle). A number of ancient furnaces were also disclosed, within the walls of old fruit gardens adjoining the site on which the Royal Palace of Henry VIII once stood, and which are now covered by tennis courts. At its 'eastern extremity the l passage, which was opened in two places, runs parallel with the wall of | the old garden, and appears to pursue ' a northerly course- in the direction of the not far distant Thames. It haJs been conjectured that the pasI sage may run on to Hampton Court,. 1 thus forming a connection between the two palaces. The larger of the two openings made permits a view of a spacious cellar, blocked with a stout wall obviously of less ancient origin. The entrances 'to both the cellar and passages are surmounted by neatly chiselled arches, 'and the vaulted, roof of the former gives it a cryp't-like appearance. The brickwork is in a wonderful (state of preservation. The-se discoveries have revived rumours concerning buried treasure, the story being that jewels belonging to one of Henry VIPs Wives, Anne of 'Cleves* were -stolen during her stay ,at the palace by a servant, who, when pursued, buried them on the .estate. Oatl'ands Palace, as- it was called, was partly built of materials brought by water from the ruins of Oherts-ey Abbey, and in general appearance probably resembled Hampton Court. Qu'elem Elizabeth frequently stayed there, and the story is told of her keeper who, while hunting with her Majesty, leapt from his horse on to the back of a -stag -and plunged his sword mto its neck. James I also frequented the place, and. his Queen built herself I a silkwork room. The buildings were demolished during the Commonwealth, and only a few fragments are visible 'to-day.