GIFT FOR WORKLESS

Rotorua Morning Post, Volume 2, Issue 727, 30 December 1933, Page 5

GIFT FOR WORKLESS

("Post" Special Correspondent.)

BEQUEST FRlOM MAN THEY HAD ALL FORGOTTEN LEAVElS TEN THOUSAND

Leadhills, Nov. 26The people oif this remote little village — ithe highest in Scotland — heard that they, as a cc.mmunity, had been left £10,000 by Mr. James Alexander, a n-ative of Leadhills, whom they had all forgotten. As a boy Mr. Alexander left his cottage to seek fortune in Glasgow. He beeame the owner of a prosperous coach-building firm and took a lead ing part in public affairs, but slways l'eturned to Leadhills to spend his holidays. Altered His Will It can now be revealed that at one time Mr. Alexander intended to bequeath £10,000 directly to the village, but shor.tly before his death, nearly 20 years ago, he altered his will so that a relative of his wife, a Miss Grierson, should benefit from the invested capital during her lifetime. The Lanarks'hiixe C'ounty Council has now been informed by the trustees of th0 esta.te that Miss Grierson has died and that the money will fihortly be available for Leadhills. It will probably be used to improve the health services of the villajge and ito assist the aged and poor. "Sir Henry Keith, a member of the Lanarkshire County Council, told me, "Leadhills is one of Ihe most unlucky Villages in Scotland. Its once prosperous lead mines are idle, and almost the whole of its working population of 500 is unemployedMr. Alexander's family hor '• associated with the lead mines, and his hequest is a wonderful example of a man remembering the village of his boyhood, despite success elseitvhere."