BARGAIN AT AUCTION

Evening Post, Volume CV, Issue 88, 13 April 1923, Page 5

BARGAIN AT AUCTION

HISTORIC ENGLISH ESTATE AN EX-WELLINGTONIAN'S PURCHASE HOME OP LADY EMMA HAMILTON. Auction room bargains are not infrequently heard of, but it is seldom that a snip is made in the purchase of a country estate containing buildings and associations of historic interest and valueThis was the fortune some months ago of an ex-resident of Wellington, who has taken up residence in the South of Wales. His purchase, which is regarded as the most fortunate ever made in the locality, has occasioned not a little surprise amongst his friends both in England and New Zealand, and he has been receiving congratulations from all sides. The lucky speculator is Mr.. P. J. Gentles, a son of Mr. James Gentles, of Willis street. Some years ago he went Home to the Franco-British Exhibition, and he has since established a prosperous dentistry practice at Milford Haven, the one-time thriving seaport town which promised to be- an important outlet for Irish traffic. One of the finest properties in the town, which is of about 4CCO population, is Hamilton House, formerly the town house of Sir William Hamilton and hia second wife, the beautiful Lady Emma Hamilton, who»e intrigues and personal history have been the subject of several books. .Latterly the historic house has been the property of the lat© Colonel W. R. Roberts, a philanthropist' who was much respected in the district. Upon his death the residence and surrounding grounds, several-, acres in extent, were put up at auction, but probably on account of the tightness of money it appears that there was little competition at the sale, and bidding was not as brisk as was expected. Mr. Gentles w?.s present mors out of curiosity and interest in the place than as a hopeful purchaser; in fact, he had already committed himself to other purchases, and had little or no intention of making a further deal. Bidding commenced at a low figure, and he was tempted, to raise the offer. . Competition went on until a price recognised to lie about half the value of the property was named, whereupon a lull occurred, and Mm Gentles was surprised when the estate, was knocked down to him. It subsequently transpired that the vestry of St. Catherine's Chnrch, which stands on an adjoining section, had intended to. make a certain bid for the estate. The extensive pleasure grounds had frequently been thrown open by Colonel Roberts for hospital, church, and other benefits, and the .church managers desired it as an extension to the church grounds'. The vicar attended the sale without instructions from the vestry, but expected to receive authority as to the extent to which he was to commit the church. The information reached him too late, and the house and grounds were acquired by Mr. Gentles at about half the price the church managers were prepared to pay. The- fortunate purchaser states that there is not a. property cent-rally, situated to equal it in Pembrokeshire. The main frontage is to Hamilton terrace, which commands a fine view- of the broad expanse of the Haven .with its various towns and, forts, and there are also frontages to two other streets. The house, which -is considerably more than 100 years old, contains about fifteen rooms on three floors, and the grounds' are "'laid out in. exteiisiv* gardens, a-bowling green, ..tennis'^.courts, and outbuildings. >' „■ ': - The principal history attaching to the property is in connection with' the wellknown affection between Admiral Lord Nelson and Lady Hamilton. Nelson was on more than one occasion a guest at the house, and during one visit he expresoed a very favourable opinion of the possibilities of Milford Haven from the naval point- of view. There, he said, the united fleets of the world might ride at anchor. In July, 1802, according to Mr. W. Clark Russell, Nelson visited Wales in company with the Hamiltons to view Milfordi Haven and observe th« improvements made by Mr. C F. Greville upon the estate of'his uncle, Sir Wili liam Hamilton, and also to inspect the j harbour improvements. On Ist August, Mr. Greville invited all the nobility and gentry of the district to a fete in commemoration of Nejson's visit, which coincided with the .anniversary of the-vic-tory of the Nile. Nelson made a speech, referring amongst other things. to the magnificence of the locality; He also laid the foundation Etone of the church men- j tioned above, which contains many relics of the hero of Trafalgar. Lady Hamilton became notorious as the mistress of Nelson, and was noted for her beauty, artistic capacity, and high spirits; she was a great favourite in high society in Naples, where Lord Hamilton was British envoy from 1764 to 1800. Nelson became entirely devoted to her, and his enslavement brought him into official displeasure. Sir William Hamilton was a grandson of the third j Duke of Hamilton, and was noted as a diplomatist and archaeologist.