BURIED URN MYSTERY

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXX, Issue 21467, 15 April 1933, Page 3 (Supplement)

BURIED URN MYSTERY

ASHES OF A PROFESSOR COLLEGE IN A DILEMMA The ashes of a professor who was at one time on the stafF of the University College of Wales at Aberystwyth are believed to have been buried in one of the college walls. If this proves to be the case, the university authorities can claim a substantial sum of money under the professor's will. But the man who gave directions for the ashes to bo bricked in the wall is dead. And no one knows the exact spot where the ashes are reputed to bo buried. The professor, when he was at the university, it is now disclosed, promised to bequeath a large sum of money to the college if, on his death, his ashes were buried within the walls of the college. No objection was taken. No promise was given. Perhaps the collego authorities thought the professor was having a jokeSome .years later the professor retired and left the town. On his death it was found that he had bequeathed the money to the collego, but there was also the request for a place for his ashes. The urn which contained the ashes actually reached Aberystwyth. Its arrival placed the authorities in a dilemma. The collego was not consecrated ground, and it was argued that it would be unfair to accept the bequest without carrying out tho professor's request. Hero the mystery deepens. Tho urn, it is said, was actually kept in the college precincts for some time. One day another professor gave the order for it to bo bricked up. Now, somewhere in the many walls, there is a niche where tho ashes are lying. But where exactly it is presents a problem for a Sherlock Holmes.