ISLAND MISER'S MONEY.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXI, Issue 18711, 17 May 1924, Page 12

ISLAND MISER'S MONEY.

. » WALL FULL OF WEALTH.

RICHES IN RAGS AND MATS.

300 SOVEREIGNS IN TRUNK.

[FROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT.] SUVA. May 8. Antoine, the mysterious storekeeper of Tara Island, in the Gilbert Group is dead. In dying he left surprises and much cash, which his wife was ignorant of. His story is a very romantic one. Forty-nine years ago he was wrecked on the island, and there he has remained ever since. His very origin is in doubt. He was reputed to be of Austrian, Italian or some other southern blood. He spoke with a marked accent »which ho never lost. He was much respected by all traders and also oy the natives.

When Antoine died recently, the District Officer, Captain Spain,_ went to bis store and house to value his assets. At first his widow who was a native Gilbertese, and his hall-caste son, said they knew of no property save the store and the stock. Finally they referred to an " Iron Box,' but did so without emotion. When forced open the trunk was found to contain 300 sovereigns.^ After some more talk, it was suspected that there were other possessions, so more search was made, and the wall of the house was tapped, until behind a portion of it there was found a bag of silver coins, so heavy that one strong man could not lift it out. How much the bag contained was not made public. Then more tapping was indulged in; indeed the searchers were beginning to find a thrill in the money hunt. More money was found in other parts of the wall, and at last an old roll of dirty mats and rags was unrolled, and out tumbled a roll of over two thousand pounds of good British money._ ■ What the total find amounted to is not known, but there is no doubt that old Antoine had accumulated a large and comfortable competency, and yet never showed any disposition to go to his homeland and enjoy his wealth. He was happy in his Island home, with his dusky mate and son, and after all, what else mattered?