SMOKEY FORTUNES.

Auckland Star, Volume LIX, Issue 165, 14 July 1928, Page 9

SMOKEY FORTUNES.

WILLS' MILLIONS

(British Ofllcial Wireless.)

RUGBY, July 13

The death has occurred of Sir George Wills, a former chairman of the Imperial Tobacco Company, aged 74. He belonged to the family of millionaires, of whom, since Sir George's father died 19 years ago leaving a fortune of over £5.000.000, three members have died, and each of them left an estate of over £1,000,000.

In the aggregate their fortunes totalled about £26,000,000 and in duties alone it is estimated that £10,000,000 has passed to the Treasury.

Sir George was a. generous supporter of charitable, educational and other institutions, to which he gave gifts totalling £500,000, including £300,000 to Bristol University.

The estate of the late Sir George Wills adds to the list of large fortunes left by members of this family, whose record in this respect is only equalled by members of the Coats family, of the great sewing thread combine. Fortunes left by other members of the Wills family include:—

Mr. H. O. Wills £5,214,821 Sir F. Wills £3,050,556 Mr. H. H. Wills £2,750,000 Sir E. P. Wills £2,633,660 Lord Winterstoke £2,548,209 Mrs. E. A. Douglas-Hamilton £1,755,795 Mrs. M- Hamilton-Fellowes . . £1974,015 Mr. F. N. Wills £1,974,015

SCOT AMASSES WEALTH.

ANDREW CARNEGIE'S PROTEGE

(Australian Press Assn.—United Service.)

NEW YORK, July 13.

The death is announced of Mr. Alexander Peacock, aged 65. Deceased formerly lived at Dumfermline, Scotland, and was a protege of the late Andrew Carnegie. He died worth £4,000,000.