CLAIM TO FORTUNE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20307, 15 July 1929, Page 12

CLAIM TO FORTUNE.

MILLIONS IN CHANCERY.

WELLINGTON MAN'S HOPES

[.DY TELEGRAPH. —OWN CORRESPONDENT. ] WELLINGTON. Sunday.

The chance of coming into possession of a fortune of over £IOO,OOO is claimed by Mr. Oscar Aubrey Everingham, a mechanic, in tho employ of tho Wellington Harbour Board, who related yesterday the story of tho so-called "Everingham Millions," for which the members of his family aro at present pursuing their claims.

In tracing back his relationship to Matthew James Everingham, a wealthy English merchant, who died about 90 years ago. leaving a fortune estimated today to be worth £11,000,000, Mr. Everingham said the merchant was known to have had four sons. All trace of three of them had been lost, while tho fourth, George, went to Australia as a boy, settled and married there. This George Everingham is claimed by Mr. Everingham to be his grandfather, and to his knowledge he is the only direct descendant at present residing in New Zealand. For about ninety years this fortune has lain in chancery and although there have been several attempts to claim it in the past all tho direct descendants, now mostly living in Australia, have combined, and aro co-operating in making a last determined effort to recover the lorturie.

It is stated that advertisements for claimants have appeared in tho principal Australian papers and approximately 500 names have been sent in, but only direct descendants, who number about 100, will be recognised. Mr. Everingham stated that during his 25 years' residence in New Zealand he has mentioned the matter only to one or two intimate friends. When asked what his plans for the future would bo if his expectations were realised, Mr. Everingham said that probably after taking a trip abroad he would continue to live in New Zealand. He would build a modern residence in the city and retire to enjoy in his old age the fruits of his good fortune.