WITHOUT HERITAGE.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 49, Issue 65, 27 December 1928, Page 7

WITHOUT HERITAGE.

UPS AND DOWNS OF THE ROTHERHAM HOUSE. " I heard with no surprise, but still with deep regret, of the poor position in which the late Lor* Rotherham left his family, with just £lO as their heritage" (writes Mr T P. MP in tl'ie London "Sunday Times' ). "I knew Lord Rotherham in the days of his prosperity, and at that time he played a very important part in the political and economic life of the country; he was the head of one ot the most important trade organisations in Lancashire, and was one ot the most powerful advocates of peace m the country. Nature could not have better fitted a man, both in personal appearance and manner, for such a mission. He was tall, he was broadshouldered; his features were regular and strong, though genial, but above all, he had a voice that could compete with the thunder of Bow bells or the Clock tower. He boomed rather than spoke, and his speech was straight and clear; but it was the voice that told. Hero you had in the flesh the almost ideally perfect image of the strong, clear-headed, resolute business man of England. Then, in the midst of all this glory, as one ot England's most prominent and trusted, and apparently prosperous, business men, there came the crash m his tortunes, due, I am afraid, partly to his absorption in things outside his business, and partly through crazy desire that so many men have at some time of their lives to make a fortune, with rapidity and without special labour, on the Stock Exchange. I had not seen him for many years; he faded away into oblivion and a modest retreat near Brighton; but he was a fine fellow in his day, and his fate was a tragedy." Lord Rotherham, who was created a baron in 1910, was temporary chairman of Ways and Means m the House of Commons for several years, presidenf'of the Associated Chambers of Commerce, and chairman of the Fine Cotton Spinners' Association. The heir to the barony is his son, Captain the Hon Stuart Lund Holland.