SKINNER MILLIONS

Grey River Argus, 6 August 1937, Page 8

SKINNER MILLIONS

N.S.W. MINERS’ CLAIM NEWCASTLE, July 27. Robert M. Skinner, a poultry farmer, of Alley Street, Speer’s Point, who at the present time is driving a horse and dray somewhere between Ardglen and Newcastle, may be able to substantiate a claim for a share in the reputed £6,000,000 estate of the late John American coal baron, who died this year. Tracing his relationship with the late coal baron through his father, whom he states is a nephew, Robert Skinner received the information of the estate through his sister-in-law Mrs. James Skinner, of the South Coast, while he was working for me Department of Main Roads at Ardglen three weeks ago. Since then he has been to Sydney and the South Coast making inquiries. Last week he decided to drive his horse and dray' back to Speer’s Point and to continue his inquiries. Mrs. A. Hopkins, a member of the household at “Comely Bank”, the; poultry farm in Alley Street, said that Skinner took about five days to. drive his horse and dray the 100-odd. miles to Ardglen in easy stages. Re-j cently he wrote to say that he was| leaving last Thursday or Friday, so| that he is expected home some time, this week. The news of Skinner’s claim to the estate has created a great deal of excitement among residents at Speer’s Point, and all wish him the nest of luck. The claimant was cavilled out of Richmond Main Colliery, where he was a miner, five years ago, and later set up business at Speer’s Point as a poultry farmer. He is ‘a native of Scotland, and has been 15 years in Australia. So far as is known, there are 16 claimants to the estate in Australia and Scotland. Those in Australia include Mr. Skinner, his sister-in-law, and her children.