IN A CHEST.

Hawera Star, Volume XLVI, 21 July 1927, Page 5

IN A CHEST.

OLD COUPLE’S MONEY

UNUSUAL STORY OF HIDDEN

WEALTH

(BY TELEGRAPH PRESS ASSOCIATION. i AUCKLAND. July 19.

An unusual story of money bidden away in an old tin chest and discovered" bv accident was told at a meeting of the Auckland Hospital Board. Nearly a. year ago the late James Harley Lucas and bis wife, who were living in rooms at Otahuhu, banded over a chest to their -’landlady to- do what she liked with. Lucas was ag.ed 84. -and hits wife was over 90. They appeared to be in poor circumstances’, and were in receipt of a pension. The landlady, Mrs Eotliergill, opened the chest, and finding only old clothes in it, shut it up again. Some months later curiosity prompted her to open itagain, and wrapped away among a suit of old clothes, she came- -across the. sum of £265 in notes and other coin. Shortly afterwards- Lucas died and liis wife -seemed too aged to know whether the money belonged to them or not.

Mrs Eotliergill handed the sum over to her solicitor, who gave it to the secretary of the Hospital Board. fn the meantime the Pensions Department was- informed of the- discovery and has now issued a writ against the Hoard for the -recovery of the money. The chairman to-dav said the Board intended to fight the case, and its defence- had been fi’ed.