BACK TO WORK

King Country Chronicle, Volume XXX, Issue 4874, 23 July 1936, Page 5

BACK TO WORK

£12,000 PRIZE WINNER. A little more than two months ago a New Plymouth waterside worker won £12,000 in an Australian sweepstake. Now he is back at his old job, little concerned about his suddenly acquired wealth. While wording on the unloading of the steamer Middlesex on May 12, Mr. C. D. Phelan, Westown, received news that he and his son Phillip held the winning ticket in a £12,000 lottery under the nom-de-plume “Ego’s Ter Syn.” His one desire was to avoid the excessive publicity and “popularity” that' always accompanies such occasions and he immediately left his work and went home. Two days later he went to Wellington to join his wife until the sensation had died down. He returned to New Plymouth and resumed his normal life. He did not immediately return to work but after a short holiday he found his way back to the port and was soon engaged in his old occupation.

Many of his workmates freely expressed the opinion that he was foolish to be back at work when he had the money to rest and enjoy himself. Mr. Phelan, however, realised that his share of the prize, £6OOO, would not last indefinitely if he delved into the capital for lavish expenditure, consequently he returned to work. The time when Mr. Phelan will be too old to work is well safeguarded by his sweepstake winnings.