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Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIV, Issue 159, 4 January 1912, Page 8

Old Chatham Islanders, according to a recently-returned visitor, say that the weather experienced there this summer: is the worst they have known. For thej past five or six weeks the daily portion! was heavy gales, accompanied by thundeir and lightning. Shearing was behind, and fishing was at a standstill. What fortunes are made out of tobacco! Witness the estates, of the Wills Brothers, who made Bristol the centre of the English tobacco' industry, and the last member of which, who died on September 4 last, at the age of 83, left an' estate the value of which for probate purposes was put down at two millions sterling, and on which £330,000 was paid I as probate duty. \ The late emry O. Wills left £31,000/ for local charities, 1 ! confirmed the gift'of £IOO,OOO to Bris-. tol University, and. bequeathed' £17,0001 to his servants aiicLeinployees. The most notabljjjiequest under the last-mentioned headhfl|fcas a gift'of £IO,OOO absolutely and a *s interest in a trust .fund of £s,o||jjrfo my faithful and most valued Julia Savage, in grateful acknowledgment of her care and attention for 27 yjjars and upwards, during which period, owing to her unselfish disregard of her own interests, she has been, in iny opinion, by no means adequately remunerated for her work, helpfulness, and devotion to me and my family." The Jeath of Mr H. 0. Wills provides the fourth estate of over a million sterling by members of this to-bacco-making Mmily within the last BVg years. The oAier fortunes were those of the first Lorn Winterstoke, proved' at over a milli-Ji; Sir K. P. Wi'lld, Bart., I over 2.Vi> uulions; and -Six- #6ederick | Wills, Bart.qat very nearly thres mil- 1 lions. :i 'I i ' > r