AN UNEXPECTED WINDFALL.

Temuka Leader, Issue 1388, 5 September 1885, Page 3

AN UNEXPECTED WINDFALL.

A remarkable story of a deed executed in Melbourne 24 years ago has just been brought to light through the inatrumeniality of Mr Chomley, Chief Commissioner of Police, A few weeks ago Mr Chomley received a letter from a solicitor in Scotland, asking him to m»ke enquiries concerning a man named Thomas Burn, a native of Dublin, at one time carrying on business as a commission agent in Melbourne. This letter stated that recently a man died in Scotland possessed of a considerable amount of wealth and leaving no relatives. Amongst his papers was found the copy of a deed which was executed by him in Melbourne 24 years ago, whereby he sold all his expectations under his father’s will to Thomas Burn, for a snm of £4OO. The solicitor now wished to know if Thomas Burn could be found in the Colony. The Chief Commissioner at once set to work, and after some difficulty discovered Burn, who is now obout 57 years old, living in very reduced circumstances with his mother, in a garret in Lygon street, Carlton. At first he could remember nothing about the deed, but on his memory being jogged, the circumstance gradually came back to him, and lie ultimately proved to be the man sought for. It seems that the original deed was at the time of execution handed to a solicitor who carried on business in Queen street, where for years it lay amongst a heap of mouldy paper. In course of time, the solicitor, thinking it was of no value, placed it with the rubbish, and it was destroyed. The old man cried for joy when lie heard of his good luck. His claim now amounts to about £2OOO, and there is no doubt as to his right to the money, which at present is lodged in the High Court of Scotland.