CONAN DOYLE’S WILL.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 21198, 2 December 1930, Page 18

CONAN DOYLE’S WILL.

BEQUESTS TO SPIRITUALISM. FORMER SECRETARY’S ANNUITY. Gifts made to spiritualistic societies are an interesting feature of the will of the late Sir Arthur Conan. Doyle, the famous novelist and supporter of spiritualism. He bequeathed: £IOO to the Spiritualistic Alliance.of London; £IOO to the National Spiritualistic Union of Manchester; and £2OO to the Psychic College, London. Commenting in his will on these bequests, Sir Arthur expresses himself “ well convinced that _ these institutions represent the most important religious movement that the world now holds.” He adds: “ If I have_ not left more to promote this cause, it is because in my lifetime I have been able to devote considerable sums to this end, and because my successors will, I know, follow my example in combating materialism.” The amount of Sir Arthur’s unsettled property is estimated at £30.000, and his settled property at a much larger sum. Written entirely by his own hand and drawn up by himself, Sir Arthur’s will was made on May 6 this year. He appointed his wife and his eldest son as executors. To Lady Conan Doyle he bequeathed £SOO, to be paid at once, all his household property, “ including books, pictures, and manuscripts to sell or not, as she may desire,” and half the residue of his estate, after the payment of a number of bequests. The will directs that an annuity of £250 a year shall be paid to Sir Arthur’s former secretary, Alfred H. Wood, “in consideration of his putting his services at the disposal of my wife, should she desire his advice or help.” Another annuity of £SO a year is to be paid to Monsignor Richard Barry Doyle, “now resident on the Riviera.”

To his elder daughter, Mary, Sir Arthur left £2OOO, as well as interest from certain shares. To Clara Doyle, of Eastbourne, he bequeathed £IOOO. His chauffeur. William Latter —“if still in my employ”—ig to receive £IOO. Among other legacies Sir Arthur left £SO each “to Linda Falconer and A. C. Walford, of the Psychic Bookshop, Victoria street, if still employed in the shop.”

The will further states, “my executors shall deal as they think best with copyrights, plays, kinema rights, or unpublished manuscripts, it being my wish that the advice and co-operation of A. S. Watt, of Norfolk street, be always obtained.”

British trade has been benefited to the tune of more than £500,000 from the courts held at Buckingham Palace during the recent season.