MONEY SCORNED

Wairarapa Times-Age, 12 January 1939, Page 8

MONEY SCORNED

ATTITUDE OF OLD LADY IN DURBAN.

SMALL HOME ON VALUABLE SITE.

DURBAN, December 21

In a little bungalow on a valuable West Street site, dwarfed by a Clock of flats towering over it. lives a woman recluse who scorns. for sentimental reasons the thousands of pounds she knows she could make if she sold or developed her property. She is 80-year-old Miss E. L. Galliers.

The site, according to the new municipal valuation, is worth £3300; the house only £3OO. But Miss Galliers has lived there for 50 years. The place has happy memories for her, and "I would not think of moving.” she said today.

“I realise that I would make thousands if I sold my home and wane to live somewhere else," she said, "but why should I? I do not want the trouble of moving and of looking for servants. I came to live her with my mother and sister, when I was in my twenties. We used to have delightful old-fashioned parties here, and here I have the memories of a lifetime."

Miss Galliers has been paying £55 a year in rates for the property. Under the new valuation that - sum will increase almost by half, but she is well content to pay it while she remains in her home.

In addition to this property, of which she is the sole owner, Miss Galliers said that she had a third share in £30,000 premises in another part cf West Shore, and also owned property in Overport worth thousands of pounds. She was not sure exactly how many.

In spite of her wealth, she lives a frugal life. She “cannot be bothered" with servants, and looks after her house and garden by herself. She makes her own bod. and does oil her own cooking cn a paraffin stove. "I suppose people think me eccentric." she said, "but it is the way I like to live. I belong to the old school, and I like doing things for myself.” Miss Galliers does not move cutside her house and garden for weeks, on end. It is many years since she lias seen the sea, although the beach is not a mile away. But she says she is not. lonely, for her dog Jimmy is enough company. Her neighbours, never come near her, nor does she encourage them to do so. "I am friendly with no one, and no one is friendly with me,” she explained. Her sister, who lives in Durban, and relatives from Maritzburg occasionally visit her.