POOR-BOX WINDFALL.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XL, Issue 12272, 16 May 1903, Page 2 (Supplement)

POOR-BOX WINDFALL.

HOW £20,000 WAS LEFT TO A LONDON POLICE COURT. Some two and a-half years ago a little old man, dressed in a blue suit of naval cut, entered the Marlborough-street Police Court, and, assuming a business-like air, pushed his way through the crowd of waiting witnesses towards the Bench.

"What do you want''" asked Mr. F. J. Elliott, the assistant magistrates' clerk. "My name is Evan Llewllyn," said the old man, brushing the whitened locks from his brow, " and"—ho approached nearer and lowered his voice to a whisper" I want to watch you; I want to see how you deal with all these peoplenot as a spectator in the gallery, but as one of yourselves, as one in touch with the distressed and the misguided and the criminal. My object? That you will see in good time."

Mr. Elliott, regarding him as a specimen of the harmless eccentric common to all police courts, humoured him in the fulfilment of what he called his '' mission." He gave him a seat near his desk and allowed him to sit in his office and hear the applications. This went on daily for over 12 months. The mysterious visitor scarcely ever spoke. He sat with his head between his hands gazing intently at witness or prisoner. Later on the truth came out.

" Mr. Elliott," said the visitor, " I am an old man. I have a premonition that the end is very near. I want to leave all my money, amounting to £20,000, to the poorbox of Marlborough-street Police Court. I had that idea' in my head when I first came here, but I wanted to see how you treated the poor and the fallen. I am satisfied. The money is yours." There was a suspicion that Mr. Llewllyn was suffering from hallucinations, but when he died a. few weeks later it was found that he had actually bequeathed by will to the poor-box the amount stipulated. The only other bequest was 5s a week for life to a man who had helped him in business. This man appeared at Marlboroughstreet to explain his connection with Blewllyn, and from his statement it was evident that he, although very poor, had actually been mainly instrumental in making the testator's fortune. Under these circumstances the magistrate increased the allowance to 10s a- week.

The poor-boxes of four or five of the London police courts receive altogether about £600 a year from the invested capital.