HOARD IN TIN CHEST

Evening Star, Issue 19613, 20 July 1927, Page 2

HOARD IN TIN CHEST

AH UNUSUAL STORY fight for its disposal [Pkr United Press Association.] AUCKLAND,, July 19. An unusual story of money hidden away in an old tin chest and discovered by accident was told at a meeting of the Auckland Hospital Board. Nearly a year ago the late Mr James Harley Lucks and his wife, who were living in rooms at Otahuhu, handed over the chest to their landlady to do what she liked with. Mr Lucas was aged eighty-four and his wife was over ninety. They appeared to be in poor circumstances, and were in receipt of a pension. The landlady, Mrs Fothergill, opened the chest, and finding only old clothes iu it, shut it up again. Some months later curiosity prompted her to open it again, and wrapped away among a lot of old clothes she came across the sum of £265 in notes and other coin. Shortly afterwards Lucas died, and his wife seemed too aged to know whether the money belonged to them or not. Mrs Fothergill handed the sum over to her solicitor, who gave it to the secretary of the Hospital Board. In the meantime the Pension Department was informed of the discovery, and has now issued a writ against the board for recovery of the money. The Chairman said the hoard intended to fight the case, and its defence had been filed.