LURE OF HIDDEN HOARD

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 455, 10 September 1928, Page 9

LURE OF HIDDEN HOARD

SEARCH ON ISLE OF MAN NORSEMEN'S TREASURE (United P.A.-~Bv Telegraph Copyrightt (United Service) LONDON. Saturday. A treasure hunt is to be begun in November as a result of a statement made by Mr. Frederick Price, of Geelong, Victoria, who left Peel, Isle of Man, in the “seventies.” He informed the town commissioners of Peel that when he was exploring some caves there he discovered a secret passage leading to the ruins of the castle. This is distinct from the three passages which already have been explored by treasure-hunters, who were inspired by age-long rumours about the hidden hoards of Noresmen who ravaged the British and Mediterranean Coasts. The Government of the Isle of Man has authorised Mr. John Douglas, a surveyor, Mr. Quilliam, town clerk of Peel, and Mr. Kermodie, an antiquarian, to conduct an organised search. They will be assisted by Mr. Price’s plan of the passage. Occasional discoveries of old coins to some degree supports the legend that the castle in 1266 was the stronghold of the Icelandis adventurer, Orry, a notable looter, and subsequently of Celtic raiders, pirates and 18th century smugglers. The Government bought the building to stamp out smuggling.

The ruins stand in seven acres of rocky ground containing earthworks and burial mounds belonging to the Stone Age.