DRAMA OF RICHES.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 53, Issue 251, 4 August 1933, Page 2

DRAMA OF RICHES.

MISERY OiF A FORTUNE. MAN WHOM LEISURE KILLED. The tragedy of a wealthy man whose riches after his retirement from an active life failed to compensate for the lack of a hobby, is recalled by the will published last month of Mi- Thomas John Hughes, of West Kirby, Cheshire. Deceased left '£95,246, with net personalty £94,444, yet despite this large fortune he committed suicide because he had "nothing to do." And he was still comparatively a young man—only 4.5 —when he died. Mr Hughes sailed in the Liverpool to Belfast steamer, Ulster Queen, on April 14, and a few miles south of the Isle of Man he climbed on to the rail of the ship, shot himself through the head and dropped into, the sea. The business Mr Hughes created when be was 22—Messrs T. J. Hughes, drapers and outfitters, was one of the 'best known in Liverpool. He founded it in a small shop with five assistants, and when he retired three years ago it had grown to an establishment with 46 departments and 700 assistants. To achieve this, Mr Hughes gave himself no rest from business for 20 years, and was reputed never to have taken a holiday. When at the age of 42 he was persuaded to retire, his immense energies were deprived of an outlet. In his will, dated, March 1 last, Mi' Hughes stipulated that before his burial a, surgeon should sever one of his main arteries. He also asked for a simple funeral and that none of his relatives should wean 1 mourning. His body, however, has not been recovered. Mr Hughes left £IOO each to his head buyer, Miss May Harris, his accountant, John William Atkinson, th<a Liverpool Hospital Saturday Fund, and the staff of T. J. Hughes and Co. for their sports and athletic fund.