UNEXPECTED WEALTH

Greymouth Evening Star, 27 April 1935, Page 3

UNEXPECTED WEALTH

IXSUKAXCE AGENT'S £111.167. Mr Ernest. Gay. of Stratford, who. recently died, left £111.167. He was an insurance ;:g nt. and the size of his estate has e<me as a surprise to till who knew hint. His brother, Councillor A. C. Gay. J.P.. a member of the West Ham Council. told a reporter that Mr Gay "had always been engrossed in his work." “From his earliest days he had always been keen on insurance,” said Mr. Gay. “The insurance business was •nly in its infancy when he began, but he was confident that if would grow, and his belief has proved true. That largely explains how lie became wealthy, for he had interest*; in insurance. and was a shareholder in a company. Yet he continued to work as an agent, though he could have become a superintendent if he had wished. He had a very good ‘book.’ and was quite content to remain as an ordinary man.

"Some years ago he gave up part of his ‘book, 1 but continued to collect certain premiums till his death, for he

was very active and healthy. His mother lived till 95. and he wanted to attain the same age, but when his wife died about four years ago he did net seem to get over her loss. “People in Stratford will be surprised at his fortune. They knew he had a bob or two. but even I did not know that his estate was worth so much." Neighbours were astonished to learn of Mr. Gay's fortune.

• I have never been more surprised in my life." said Mrs. E. Clark, who has lived next door to him for thirty years. "For all I knew'he might have had only five pounds or five pence, and everybody in Hie street is amazed that he left so much."

Mr. Gay left to his brother, Mr. A G. Gay, £2.000 "as a token of my es teem and goodwill.” .