BIG INCOMES FOR NOTHING

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LV, Issue 118, 5 October 1912, Page 9

BIG INCOMES FOR NOTHING

THE IMPERIAL PENSION LIST. Great Britain pays away a large sum in annuities and pensions, and the majority of the recipients have done nothing to deserve them. They get the money because they happen to be descendants of individuals who. long ago, were awarded these annuities. Among the largest of these perpetual pensions • that received by the Duke of Richmond and Gordon, which runs into £19,000 a year. The origin of this payment goes away back to the Jays of Queen Elizabeth, who received a duty of Is on every chaldron of coals shipped out of the Tyne and used in England. This duty was paid to her successors until Charles 11. gave it away to the first Duke of Richmond. He and his heirs received it for more than a century, until, in the time of George 111., it was commuted for the present yearly sum, which is known in the Exchequer as the "Richmond Shilling."

Another instance is that of the Schomberg pension, which William 111. bestowed on a favorite Hollander of that name for his military services. He granted the sum of £4OOO a year to this family in perpetuity, and, though portions of it have been commuted or sold in a lump sum to the Government at different - times, there is still* paid out over £'7ooo yearly to people who are in some remote way connected with the original Schombergs. Another of the same King's annuities is still being paid to the heirs of Lord d'Auvrequerque, Henry de Nassau, his heirs and assignees, for ever, in consideration of ''his many and faithful services," even though they were of a rather sinister political nature. Two thousand pounds was the original sum, but that has been commuted by successive heirs till, at the present day, they early annuity is reduced to £375 15s.

In the reign of Charles IT. a duty upon imported wine was presented to the first Duke of Grafton, Henry Fitzroy. In the beginning of last century the then Duke commuted this duty for the yearly pension of £6870, and his fortunate successors receive this ample income, for which they have done nothing. A conspicuous case is that of Lord Nelson, who is paid £SOOO a year by the nation just because he is the holder of the Nelson title, though not descended directly from the famous admiral. As "ancient fees" the sums of £6B and £2O yearly are respectively paid to the Duke of Norfolk and the Duke of Rutland, though no one can accurately say how they arose, nor do they incur any obligations whatsoever except the pleasant one of receiving them. But commoners as well as dukes and

lords have Iheir share. The Law Courts alone jmy ovt-r £14,U00 in annuities, many of which are for compensation of abolished ollices. For example, when the Law Courts were removed from Westminster twenty odd years ago, ten or twelve "laundressess" lost, or were supposed to have lost, their work. Some of them still receive their £IOO a year. In tie Chancery Division "Preacher at Rolls" receives £IOO every year, although he never utters a word of a sermon; just as a laundress or housekeeper in the same division is paid £35 every twelve months for doing mi housekeeping, her post having been abolished.