£lOO,OOO PRIZE

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXX, 23 May 1936, Page 4

£IOO,OOO PRIZE

• *s•«' LARGEST FAMILY TORONTO MOTHER’S CLAIMS LAWYER’S UNUSUAL WILL TORONTO. 22nd April. Toronto’}, “maternity sweepstakes,” for a grand prize of £IOO,OOO, has entered its last stage. On 31st October, 1936, the mother wlio-jhas produced tiie most babies in the preceding 10 years will win the rn'ize left by a wealthy and bachelor lawyer. The race is narrowed down to six contestants, who all stand a good chance. Between them these six have had S 3 babies since 1926, and have given birth to 84 babies in all, of whom o2 are. living. Nine years ago Mr Charles Vance Millar died, leaving his fantastic will. The millionaire lawyer, sportsman, and slightly eccentric man-about-town, simply wrote that from his estate £loo,Gut) and any accumulated interest or profits from its investment was to be given to the Toronto mother who produced the largest brood in the 10 years following his death. Although the terms of the will appear simple Court actions are being expected as a result of the close race between the six known contestants. ORDER OF CONTESTANTS The trustees of the estate reported recently that it would take about a year to obtain cash on the investments, the bulk of the fund being in stock which once was worth a pound a share, but is now obtainable at much less.

As nearly as can be ascertained the order of the contestants is as follows:—■ Mrs Matthew Kenny, leading, with 11 children born since 1926, of whom seven are living; Mrs Joseph Bagnalo, with nine births and four living; Mrs John Nagle, nine births, eight living; Mrs Ambrose Harrison, with eight births, all living; Mrs Stephen Darrigo, eight births, five living; Mrs Gus Graziano, eight births, seven living. Special circumstances with these figures include three sets of twins since 1926 for Mrs Kenny, the leader, of whom two setg have died. Airs Bagnato, for many years considered .the leader, claims that Airs Nagle is disqualified, claiming that three of the brood were born out of Toronto. The final decision will be left to the birth registrations under the Canadian Vital Statistics Act. FATHERS REMAIN SILENT Sidelights on the competition are provided by Mrs Darrigo, who says that to feed her dozen children she buys daily 21b of butter, six loaves of bread and five quarts of milk. Her weekly spaghetti consumption amounts to a case. ALs Harrison’s young ones eat a peek of potatoes at a meal. It is interesting to nole that all the talking is clone by the mothers competing in the event. Fathers are seldom seen and less frequently interviewed. They remain in the background.