"GODFATHER" TO VILLAGE

Otago Daily Times, Issue 22328, 31 July 1934, Page 16

"GODFATHER" TO VILLAGE

RICH STOCKBROKER'S BEQUEST PART OF. £50,000 TO; HELP SPOKT In the will of a Londoii Stockbroker ■who left £458,842, with net personalty £446',081, appears a remarkable bequest to the village of-Woodham .Walter, near Maldpn, Eee'ex.v - ' ' ! .' ''' * . The will is that of Mr Henry. Walter Thomson, a native, of Aberdeen, w!io died last April, aged 78. For over 30 rears he lived at Warren Farm, a picturesque, estate,in .the village, .which .has a population of only 600. Mr Thomson left £50,000 on trust, part of the income from which is to be used "for the upkeep of Warren Sarin and the expenses of organising and encouraging football, cricket, golf, and other pastimes in the parish." Behind ,this. bequ t est lies a story of re•maskable' generosity to the' village.; Mr Thomson "had-cricket and football pitches laid out: on his grounds, with tennis courts, and even a golf course. Everybody could pla/. there free of charge. Durin;; the war .Air Thomson sent'2ooo cigarettes and a plentiful supply of provisions to each villager serving abroad. If a villager was taken ill, he would pay for the services of a specialist. It ia. doubtful, however,, if the village, already so generously Provided for, will set very much from the £SO 000 beouest. " I am' afraid it would be unwise to hold out any hope of there being 'substantial for the encouragement of football and pricket and other pastimes," explained Mr Julian Strode, ■olicitor and trustee under the will. "Prior claims in the shape pi two annuities, one of £SOO and the other of £250, will have to be deducted from the income of the £50.000.. The remainder, amounts to about .£BOO. will be •wallowed 'up in the maintenance of the farm, leaving little, if to be applied to local purposes."