THE SUPPOSED AUCKLAND LEGATEE.

Auckland Star, Volume XIX, Issue 177, 28 July 1888, Page 10 (Supplement)

THE SUPPOSED AUCKLAND LEGATEE.

A FORTUNE THAT DIDN'T 'COME OFF.'

Remarkable Revolutions,

In the London Baukruptay Court recently the case of T. Fit/.maiuicc Burke was dealt with. It lias interest for our readers, inasmuch as the bankrupt was a visitor at Hastings a season or two ago, mul attracted considerable attention by his elaborate mode of life. As tho examination 'hows, whilst in this town he contracted a oil! of f3OO at Mi1 Bullman's Swan Hotel,

and when ho left—hurriedly, perhaps, it

i need not bo pointed out —his carriages and ! wearing apparel were sold, under the provisions of the Licensed Victuallers' Act, but tlio amount realised did not nearly cover the expense*, The auctioneer was Mr Vencs*, of Heatings, One carriage rug, valued at €150, fetched .159. At the bankruptcy examination it stated tllnt the bankrupt many years since hold v commission in the Militia, and this wrts tin adjourned sitting for hiw public examination. The receiving order was made Oii Decombcr 19th Inst on ii creditor's peti-

tion, and the statement of attaint »howml

I'tnseeured debts £4,Z92, with assets of tlio nominal value of £1,690, Latterly the bankrupt had supported himself by fcaohing music at (Jhntliain, and it appeared Unit in September lust he received intelligence of the death of a wealthy relative in New Zealand, whoso hoir-nt-Uw ho claimed to be, and upon the fai'h of his expcolationa —whio!), however, have not been realised— 110 contracted debts to hotel proprietor.", lialter'ri, hosiers, co.chbuilders, and other tradesmen.

Mr Muir Mackenzie appeared for the Ollicial Receiver, and 11 r I'urtrum for the trustee.

The bankrupt was brought up from prison by two warders, and at fir.--1 declined to give any information, but he afterwards relented, and said it win through Captain Butler that, ho had heard he had become entitled i6yprop6:ty -in Now Zealand. Previously he had resided at the Adelplii Hotel, Strand, and upon the strength of his supposed wealth he negotiated for a steward, butler, and private secretary, and al»o for a house at 1,000 guinen.s per year rent, but tlio negotiations feil through. When he left the Adolplii Hotel he went to reside at Handel-villas, Thornton Heath, his expenses being paid out of tlio proceeds of a snlo of n bracelet given to li'im by a lady friend, but which ho had purchased originally and had not paid for. A number of lottora having reference to the supposed property were produced, addressed to tho bankrupt, and ho admitted that ho lind shown «m»e of tliom to his creditors. One of tlio letters Mill? In thoso terms :—

' Wfttcrvillohouso, Watorvftle, county Kerry, Ireland. Dear Sir,—My aioter, who is at present abroad, has requested mo to forward you tho enclosed document, which li«« been sont to hor from New Zealand for your b'enroYit.- tt'o mo all plonsod to hear of your yVoiidfrM fortune. With kind regards, yours vef^; truly, Jah. Bdtlbs, August 29, 1867.'

The bankrupt went on to gay thai Jlisa Butler also wrote to him oougratufoU'irg him upon his good luck. Ho would not likn to swonr the document produced was (ltd original document referred to. Jfo was very pio'nsVjd to hear that he had come into two millions arid1 ft-hnlf of money, and naturally hunched out info ii pfood deal of extravagance.

MrlJnrtrum—On ono occasion you Uud, 1 think, a dinner party of your creditors ? Tho bankrupt said ho had a dinner party of his so-called friends, and ho heard afterwardH that they had tolcgraphid to New Zealand for information with reference to tho properly, and the reply might have been unfavourable. He had never engaged a private chaplain, but numerous applications were made to him for tho appointmqnt. lfo net up horses and curinge.", nnd iric'iirfc'J hotel bills at Kenilworth, Brimingham, Ifa«tl!;p, <xml elsewhere The proprietress (Miss Khter) of tho Adelplii Hotel was returned as a erodltor for a linlnnco of £419 He remained there for a yenr, nnd tho bill included payments made for I'oxcnnt the thontiv. It was customary for liotrl proprietors to make these payments. (A Iflllgh). Jn live weeks lie incurred a bill of £308 (it Hustings. Ho had his crest and coat of annn pointed on his carrint;os. 110 kept two men servants, nnd required extra bedroom.-) at the hotel in consequence. . •

In reply to Alt Muir Mar!;eimo, the bankrupt laid that in June last he cane up from Chatham to tho Adelplii Hotel. At, that time ho had not receive:! any news from New Zealand. Since June he incurred a debt of .C 305 to Mr Sinallpagc, a tailor, for livcrioi and clothes supplied. The bill of Morgan and Co., amounting to £1, 132, was fur horses and carriages only, and they had now in their possession a pair of horses for which he agreed to pay i'so. Miss Elder also held jewellery, wearing apparel, and othor property which had cost, him £050. h\ November he hoard that tho news from Now Zealand was nil a myth, but he retained one room at the Adolplii Hotel notwithstanding, his bill being guaranteed by his solicitors.

Somp furthor accounts boing required, tho caso was adjourned to tlio 20th iust., and tho Registrar directed tho bankrupt to bo rolonscd from prison.