BANKRUPT DUKE

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXI, 29 October 1928, Page 5

BANKRUPT DUKE

RECKLESS EXTRAVAGANCE REGISTRAR’S REBUKE DISCHARGE' SUSPENDED FOR THREE YEARS United Press Association—By Electric Tolegraph—Copyright Australian Press Association LONDON, 27 th October. “It may be difficult to he economical when a duke, but at least you ought to behave like a gentleman,” declared the Registrar in the London Bankruptcy Court when suspending the discharge of the Duke of Manchester for three years.

The story revealed in Court is one of remarkable extravagance. The duke failed a second time, with liabilities of £ 120,(156 and assets £2OO. Subsequently Is in the pound was paid. It was admitted that at one period the duke’s household and personal expenditure was £72,000 annually which was £20,000 in excess of his income. His personal debts included £2851) owing to jewellers, £lB3 to tailors, £270 to hosiers, £IOOO hotel expenses, £1)1(5 in respect to a house at Gloucester Gate, £O7O for tennis balls ’and racquets, and £1220 for ladies’ dresses. His counsel said that the duke succeeded to the title at ail early age, and was brought up without any occupation. Everyone assumed that he was enormously rich. It would be difficult for him to cut down his expenditure. The Registrar said that the unmitigating circumstance was that people were victimised, yet the duke was in receipt of a large income. It was unjustifiable, reckless extravagance.