FORTUNE IN COTTAGE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVIII, Issue 20987, 25 September 1931, Page 8

FORTUNE IN COTTAGE.

AMAZING DISCOVERY.

OWNER LIVED IN POVERTY.

SECURITIES AND DEBENTURES.

TOTAL VALUE OF ABOUT £6OOO. [BY TELEGRAPH. —OWN CORRESPONDENT. ] WELLINGTON, Thursday. A remarkable case of a person living in apparent dire poverty, although possessed of securities worth several thousands of pounds, was,disclosed at the inquest into the death of an elderly man, John Thomas Jackson, or Jacobson. The deceased came to New Zealand from North Shields, England, about 20 years ago, and for a number of years was living in a cottage in Edwards Street, Te Aro, with his mother. She died six or seven years ago, and since then Jackson had lived alone, apparently making very few friends and taking no one into his confidence. Some days ago he was missed by his neighbours, and when his cottage was entered he was found lying dead. The police were informed, and took the necessary steps for, the holding of the coroner's inquiry. The cottage was so poorly furnished as to be bare almost of necessities, and it was evident that the man, whose ago the police estimated at about 62 years, had lived in extreme poverty, probably getting most of his meals away from his drab cottage. The police set about collecting and listing his few belongings, and were astonished to find, tucked away in odd corners, in cupboards, and in and under boxes securities, debentures and scrip, mostly of New Zealand origin, and a little money, the total value being about £6OOO. No will was found, and the estate was therefore placed by the police in the hands of the public trustee. As far as is known the deceased had no relatives in New Zealand, but it is believed that he had a sister living in England. The cause of death was peritonitis.