A CRUEL HOAX.

Temuka Leader, Issue 1777, 16 August 1888, Page 3

A CRUEL HOAX.

A cruel joke, says the Tuapeka Times, was perpetrated a few days ago on a highly respected Tuapeka settler, and one whom we might depcribe as comfortably circumstanced. He received a letter from a pseudo firm of solicitors in Dunedin, informing him of the death of an esteemed uncle, who had bequeathed to him all his wealth, which was represented by some four figures. Hoping to be honored with his instructions they begged to remain " his most obedient servants, Liggins and Brown." It bo happened that the recipient of the letter has expectations in the direction indicated, which the perpetrators of the joke may have heard him speak about; and so the lucky nephew may be excused for taking the whole thing as granted and acting with the air of a man to whom fortune was not a stranger. In a fit of generosity he committed himself to several large donations to churches and other deserving objects; his daughter was ordered to cut the baker and hook on to the curate; his son was peremptorily told to resign a position of some im portance at thejgrocor's; and, to crown all the generous uncle was mentioned in the prayers of the village congregation at the earliest opportunity, A subsequent letter from Dunedin, in reply to inquiries re Messrs Liggins and Brown, revealed the distressing fact that such & firm never existed ; and from the latest advices from Home the wealthy undo still survives.