£2,500,000 CLAIMED.

Gisborne Times, Volume LXVI, Issue 10456, 10 December 1927, Page 9

£2,500,000 CLAIMED.

BACK TO 1795. » NOT ILLEGITIMATE r DEAD KING’S WISH. LONDON, Dec. 1. A romantic Jaw-suit has been opened in the Chancery Court itgarding the ownership of the “Lapine millions,” which are supposed to be worth £”.500.000 although counsel expressed the opinion that this estimate was exaggerated. Maria Lepine, who died in 1 v 98. was alleged to he illegitimate, and she left no heirs. The estate passed to George 111., who conferred it_on Admiral Howe, requiring him to furnish an indemnity, on behalf of himself. to future kings, should the genuine claimant be discovered. The nine present claimants are descended from Maria’s aunt. Counsel state that a marriage certificate. which had recently been discovered in St. Martin’s Church. London, proved that Maria was a ; legitimate child, and the indemnitv undertaking mu«t lie honored. Meanwhile the Howe beneficiaries are dead, and, lie urged, the Crown should pav. . The action is hv petition of right against the King. The AttonieyGenpral 18 ir Douglas Hogg) intimated that even if the petitioners shmn-.i otherwise e-tablish their claim, they are legally debarred from recovering.