LORD LEVERHULME

Otago Daily Times, Issue 18987, 8 October 1923, Page 7

LORD LEVERHULME

OFFER OF LEWIS ISLAND. ’ DECLINED BY RESIDENTS. t'ra>s Association — By Telegraph—Copyright LONDON, October 6. (Received Oct. 7, at 5.5 p.m.) The Lewis Islanders have declined Lord Leverhulme’s offer because the Government is unable to give them financial assistance and consequently the islanders are unable .to fulfil tie terms of the proposed trust.—A, and N.Z. Cable. Lord Leverhnlme purchased the Island of Lewis, in the Outer Hebrides, some years before the war. When he was created a viscount last year considerable criticism was aroused by his having the viscounty designated “Lord of the Western Isles ” Early last month tho Daily Telegraph, in announcing that Lord Leverhnlme was going to Australia in November, stated: “Before sailing he will offer tire people of the Island of Lewis all his interests in the island, which cost him £1,000,000. Ihe gift includes the gasworks, an offal factory, a stcani laundry, and other buildings. The offer is the outcome of a long quarrel with the islanders which arose through Lord Leverhulmo’s desire to organise the fishing industry and rebuild Fort Stornoway, which alone would cost A handful of fishermen and crofters fully fought the proposed industrialisation of Lewis, and Lord Leverhnlme has now withdrawn from the island after making his prince’y gift.”