DRUCE SENSATION.

Dominion, Volume 1, Issue 110, 1 February 1908, Page 5

DRUCE SENSATION.

INNER HISTORY. STATEMENT BY A LONDON PAPER. A "FLAGRANT FLOTATION." •DT TEr.EGIUM—IT.ESS ASSOCIATION—COrTIIIGHT. (Rec. Jan. 31, 11.38 p.m.) London, January 31. ■ The "Daily Chronicle" says neither George Hollamby Dmco, nor G. Druce, Limited, are able to the civil action. Hollamby Druce from the outset concealed essential facts, and based his : appeal for public support on deliberate rcticence and misrepresentation.;. ' .Tho' "CjironicloV claims ..to possess documents.: showing that Sheridan was associated with Anna Druce's claims until her litigaT tibn. ceased.; that ho sold for £'200 to Trowinnard, .who; held Charles Edgar Druce's power of attorney, in London, and had certain information .'which was'expected to be useful in-supporting Edgar Wnieo's claim. Then in 1903 Trewinnard attended a conference wifcli 'Ilollamby Drucd awl Coburn iii. the clionibcrs of, a barrister in London, and informed liollamby Druce that lie was 'not'th'e !heir while Edgar Druce was alive. It was then resolved to cable to- Edgar Druce's, solicitors to',,renew ;bi? - powei - . of attorney granted to Trewinnard in 1599. . Tho reply referred them to a lirni of solicitors in London, Who advised that the Druco, family's claims iwcro based on insufficient • evidence, and ivcro not worth pursu-' - in S-' - v . ...' " : -Coburji, then went t<y 'Australia,' and se-, cured iin agreement whereby ."Edgar l)"ice professed to transfer' his rights,- and pledged himself not; to. interfere■ with Hollamby Druce's proceedings, pn condition of sharing the spoil in the event. of,-success. , ! TJie only basis for , the claim advanced was an error m Charles Crickmer Druce's marringo certificate,-inasmuch, as tho bridegroom gavo his. father's name as .Henry instead of Thomas. Similar errors wero made in. thousands, of certificates. .Tho baptis-, nial, certificate proves that, the bridegroom was. Thomas's son.. ■ Sheridan, in March, 1904, joincdi Hollamby Druce's camp, and entered into an agree- , ment,:, receiving Hoilamby Druce's commission noto for 6} per'cent, of all the pro- .' perty .recovered, Coburn' .promising 3J per .cent. of tho amount paid to Druce. Hence ,in 1907 tho Druco' Portland Company was ,formed to acquiro Sheridan's 1 assets, Shori- ;. dan - selling illusory rights, and withholding ■ ■ his knowledge : that if; there-:,was.-;an heir ! it. ; was Edgar -Druce,.. not Hollamby.' The ; latter- publicly'dissociated himself from this , • flagrant flotation, but tho ; fact-remains that i -his and Coburn's action mado it possible.