£102,143 FOR TEN POOR MEN.

Taranaki Central Press, Volume IV, Issue 367, 23 February 1937, Page 8

£102,143 FOR TEN POOR MEN.

heirs of uncle wRo left no WILL. Unexpected good fortune has befallen seven humble crofters in the email village of Kinlochewe, Rossshire. They, and three emigrants to New Zealand, are to share a fortune of £102,148 left by their uncle, Mr Kenneth Maclennan, a Manchester publisher. Mr Maclennan died at Harrogate in July at the age of 84, leaving no will. Since then his ten nearest relatives, the children of his two brothers, who lived at Kinlochewe, have been traced from papers he left and by newspaper advertisements. Mr Maclennan had a romantic rise to fortune. He received his education from needy students who, 70 years ago, used to tramp through the Highlands earning their college fees by itinerant teaching. He afterwards entered a bookseller s shop in Inverness, and later lived for a time in London. During his early jiays in Manchester he established The business from which he made his fortune.

About 47 years ago he married a Mias McKenzie, of Loch Garron, at Levenshulme, where he was then living. She died in 1897. Mr Maclennan had many business acquaintances in Manchester, but he seldom spoke of himself or his relatives.

Perhaps his closest friend in Manchester was his solicitor, Mr Batty, of Messrs Robert B? Batty and Co, who conducted a great deal of his business. Never Made Confidences.

“Even to me and my father before hie Mr Maclennan never opened hisl heart," said Mr Batty. | “I travelled With him on three occasions to Kinlochewe, when we stayed at the village inn, and yet he did not tell me much about his family other than that he. had had two brothers and one spinster sister. They have been dead a considerable time. “After his wife’s death Mr Maclennan never kept a house, but lived in hotels. ’ ... “He said so little about himself that many people were surprised to hear after his death that he had left so much money.” . Two of the nephews who benefit by their uncle’s death are Mr John Maclennan, a crofter, of Fern Villa, Kinlochewe, and Mr Kenneth Maclennan, of Incheril, Kinlochewe, who carrieson a motor-hiring business. Mr John Maclennan is 40 and unmarried. Kenneth, who is in his early thirties, is married and has three children. “All the members of the family Jn the village have been taken by surprise at the amount of our uncle s fortune,” said Kenneth, “but we intend to carry on as before. “At present, all I want to do is to Install a telephone In my house. We are completely isolated from eivilisa-

“Got any pipe tobacco fit to smoke?” he barked. “A new chum,” thought the tobacconist; “plenty of side on, too!? Then to the stranger: “What kind ot tobacco d’ye want, mistermedium or full?" “Medium! Meedium!” replied the customer Impatiently, “but no rubbish, mind! I'm a connoisseur. Here—let’s have an ounce to try out. If it’s right, I’ll come again." He blew in again next day. "That iniported tobacco I had yesterday—don’t know what it was, but I’ll take a pound.” “Certainly," said the tobacconist, “but that wasn't imported; that was New Zealand tobacco, Navy Cut No. 3.” Go on!” said Mr. Newchum incredulously. "Yes, grown and manufactured in the Dominion,” continued the weed merchant; "toasted, too. That means practically harmless. Cuts out nicotine. Oh! five brands: Navy Cut No. 3 (Bulldog), Cavendish, Cut Plug No. 10 (Bulishead), Riverhead Gold, and Desert Gold.” “Well, if it’s not imported it's every bit as good,” commented the customer. “Some of my ‘regulars’ says it’s better,” replied the tdbacc6niit, “Y4u Uvi had i4hrn, 44»'t yoa?”