£42,000 ESTATE

Auckland Star, Volume LXXIV, Issue 271, 15 November 1943, Page 2

£42,000 ESTATE

MISSING WOMAN'S SHARE

APPORTIONMENT QUESTION (0.C.) SYDNEY, Nov. 9. The Master in Equity will hold an inquiry to decide who is entitled to share the estate of Miss Elsie Ruttley, who disappeared 23 years ago. Her father, James Ruttley, colliery proprietor, of Mount Pleasant, Adamstown, near Newcastle, died in 1935, leaving £42,000, of which Elsie's share was about £6000. Frederick Paul Ruttley, on affidavit in the Equity Court, said that he last saw his sister Elsie' in 1920, and at his father's home. She never discussed her business even with members of her family. He had heard her tell their father to address any letters to .her care of the G.P.0., Sydney. Henrietta Jane Ruttley said her father had sent cheques in letters addressed to Elsie, care of the G.P.0.. Sydney, and she had been informed that these letters had been returned unclaimed. Evidence was given that repeated attempts had been made by advertisement and by inquiries at the registries of marriages and deaths in various States to trace the missing woman.