SELF-IMPOSED EXILE.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 19760, 10 April 1926, Page 11

SELF-IMPOSED EXILE.

A MYSTERIOUS MILLIONAIRE. THIRTY YEARS VIGIL ON YACHT. (Press Association—By Telegraph—Copyright.) LONDON, April 8. In the year 1896 the palatial steam yacht Valfreyia, 1800 tons, arrived off the Essex coast and dropped anchor which was not weighed until nine years ago, when the yacht was dry-docked at Wivenhoe, an old world village on the Essex coast. The owner, Mr Bayard Brown, an American millionaire, strikingly handsome and stalwart, remained on board during the whole 30 years, until he died today a white-haired man aged 74.

The props with which the yacht was dry-docked are aged and rotten, but the hull is shiningly spick and span. The complete crew of a dozen were on board, together with ample provision. The engines were kept oiled and ready to start in an instant, but the order did not come.

Extraordinary mystery surrounds the owner, who was friendless. It is known that he came from California, where he is believed to have belonged to a family of rich bankers. The world first heard of Mr Brown when the British courts assessed his income at £IO,OOO annually, on which he was ordered to pay taxes. He seldom had visitors, ’and talked on the strongest subjects and incoherently, and always lapsed into silence when America was mentioned. He had been known to give £SO when asked for help. At other times he met the request with a shower of coal. He used to spend hours leaning on the rail, a yacht cap on the back of his head, gazing towards the North Sea.—A. and N.Z. Cable. ABSORBED IN FINANCE. MANY LOCAL BENEFACTIONS. LONDON, April 9. (Received April 9, at 10.30 p.m.) It is stated that Mr Brown, when young, was crossed in love. Consequently he left America. It is stated that when his father died he was greatly distressed and went a world cruise, finally deciding not to return. Mr Brown, however, never confided his reason to anyone. He only once slept away from the ship, when she was undergoing repairs. He had a private secretary, and visitors were never allowed on board the yacht. Mr Brown was generous in his own peculiar way. He sometimes threw £5 or £lO notes to pretty girls boating around his yacht. It is known that he made many 1 benefactions in the neighbourhood, mostly anonymously. It is stated that he gave £250.000 since his arrival. It is no.w disclosed that in spite of his eccentricities and the general supposition that he lived an aimless life tnat Mr Brown was actively engaged in business till his death. Intimate friends say that finance-.was his hobby. It is believed that he trebled his fortune while he was here. Only a fortnight ago he sold a block of property in New York at a profit of severalthousands and he was going to the American Consulate this week to sign the deeds. Another man who knew Mr Brown for 35 years said that he probably knew more about Wall street than any man living. He visited London two or three times a week and despatched cables to America. He returned to the yacht the moment his business was done. His lawyers and secretary conferred on board yesterday. It is understood that a proposal was discussed to convey the body to New York for burial in the tomb of his father. It is likely that the Valfreyia will go at least part of the journey. The yacht is in splendid condition owing to Mr Brown’s hobby for perfection in workmanship.—A. and N.Z. Cable.