SECRETS OF YILDIZ KIOSK.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXII, Issue 9548, 21 July 1909, Page 3

SECRETS OF YILDIZ KIOSK.

Although the inventory of the contents of Yildiz Kiosk is by no means yet complete (writes a correspondent), the discoveries of specie, bonds, and jewels made up to the present already amount tj a very considerable sum. The newspapers continue to publish Arabian Night like accounts or the treasures unearthed, the recovery of which has been largely due to information supplied by one of the ex-Sultan's confidants, but the estimate given of the value of the jewels found, namely, £3,000,000, is certainly j far-letched. rept rted that a receipt has been discovered for a deposit with the Deutsche Bank of £1,900,000. The list of valuables comprises carpets, tapestries, arms, ancient and modern, natural history museum, libraries, and also many rare birds [ and animals, including presumably, the laughing jackass with which he was presented by the late British Ambassador, Sir Nicholas O'Connor, as a gift from the } Governor of Queensland. The inventory also includes the equipment of a wellstocked carpenter's workshop, in which Abdul H-irnid passed many busy hours in innocent recreation. This was his favourite hobby. It is a characteristic fact that in most rooms were found revolvers disposed in handy places and boxes of sweets and biscuits. The ex-Sultan's taste in flowers and horticulture is evidenced by the large collection of the rare plants and fruit trees. The importation of these rarities afforded the imperial entourage opportunities cf gratifying Abdul Ilamid's capricious tastes and at the same time filling their own pockets. The extensive park of Yildiz Kiosk encompasses several large ornamental sheets oi water, on which float eleven sailing and row boats and four motor boats.