WHAT IT COSTS TO BE RICH.

Dunstan Times, Issue 3384, 25 July 1927, Page 2

WHAT IT COSTS TO BE RICH.

It now costs the average American millionaire three years ol _ haul, thoughtful effort ami about CoOILLUO to become one ol the landed gentry. This, writes a London correspondent ol the World, is the estimate of a firm of agents who deal in the great estates of England. Scotland, and Wales, and who have watched American millionaires come and go lor many decades. ... "At least thirty-five of the filty-hve principal private estates in ’’Cii'oat Lrilaiu are not for sale to American or other millionaires at any price, a candid iopiv.seillative ol the firm told vise correspondent. "those thirty-five are off tho market for two reasons: first, their present owners do not need the money, and, second, they have satisfactory heirs. “There arc, however, perhaps twenty owners of our biggest estates who, lor one reason or another, would enter into negotiations beginning at about 6300,000. “An American millionaire, assuming that he obtained one of those fine old properties at about that price, could easily spend another £200,000 in cop-per-riveting a satisfactory position* among iho landed gentry of -Groat Britain.” It is much easier for the wealthy American to conquer Loudon than the English countryside, according to the ©stale agents’ representative. "The test comes,” he said, “when the American hostess and her husband Lake over a great English estate, with a thousand acres of shooting, with local traditions, with half a dozen farms, villi three or four old-world villages, wilh a title deed in Latin six feet long, a ‘com I of the manor’ and ancient rights of John Smith to take fish from the north hank of the pond, and of John Doe to train and gallop horses over the waste.” Inquiries regarding what the rich American obtains for his 2500.(1(10 brought a variety of replies, which may be .summarised as follows:—Enjoyment of a great English park, with venerable trees, smooth lawns, a private trout stream, gardens, stables, and a dignified house, with a noble (lint draughty) dining hail and thirlytwn bedrooms- (and three baths). Social recognition from the good and great. English educalion. English acccnl. ami English faxes, the steepesi in the world. The s( oise of adventure, in encountering new types and new social sitna--1'ion?; tho sense of achievement. The grubby appearance of the pillars of tho Guildhall. London, was caused by Ihe smoke from the Great Eire of London. Hie result of which has never been elearsd away. Green blackboards made of glass, which it is found prevent eye strain, are to be used in new schools at Middleton and Cross Gales, suburbs of Leeds (Eng.) • i