A FIGHT FOR MILLIONS.

Rangitikei Advocate and Manawatu Argus, Volume XXIII, Issue 9038, 30 December 1907, Page 3

A FIGHT FOR MILLIONS.

When one realises the immense wealth at issue in the Druce case, it is not surprising that people should be willing to subscribe money to push the claims of G. H. Druce. The Daily Mail gives an interesting description of what G. H. Druce is aiming at possessing. The present proceedings are regarded by Druce as a preliminary to v a struggle for the London estate of the present Lord Howard de Walden. In his will the Fourth Duke of Portland directed that his property should go to his son, the Fifth. Duke, and failing an heir to his son, to the female line. On the assumption that the Fifth Duke did not marry, the estate went to the Dowager Lady Howard de Walden. G. H. Druce is seeking to prove that the Fifth Duke —known as T. O. Druce —Was his grandfather. The London estate is of immense value. Lying / D i one of the best residential parts oi* London —it includes Harley street, Cavendish Square, and Portland Place—it is reported to have brought in the Dowager £IBO,OOO a year. The annual rental to-day is placed at between £250,000 and £300,000. At present Druce is not making a direct claim upon, the estates of the Duke of Portland, but if he should establish his claim to the de Walden estates he confidently expects that he will obtain those of the Duke. The property of the Duke of Portland is dazzling. He owns 183,574 acres, an area greater than the whole 'of Middlesex. The annual value of the estates is estimated at from £130,000 to £150,000. The higher value gives, at 4 per cent, a capital value of £3,750,000. But even this does not fully represent the wealth of the Duke, for Welbeck Abbey is crammed with works of art worth a fortune. A single table is said to be worth £15,000. How did all this come into the possession of one family? The founder of the Portland fortunes was Hans William Bentinck, page gentleman of the bedchamber and com-panion-iu-arms to William of Orange. When William .was invited to England, Bentinck left his beloved wife dying at the Hague to follow his prince on what was believed to be a very perilous enterprise. He served Jus Knig with distinction, was created Earl of Portland, and died worth £BOO,OOO. His son was created a Duke. The second Duke married Lady Margaret Harley, the third Duke a daughter of the Duke of Devonshire, and the Fourth a great Scottish heiress, and all these ladies brought with them considerable wealth.