RIFLES AT GERMAN COUNT'S MANSION.

Sun (Christchurch), Volume I, Issue 217, 17 October 1914, Page 14

RIFLES AT GERMAN COUNT'S MANSION.

MYSTERY OF A £IOO,OOO "HUNTING ' BOX." V 7- ' V I Seven thousand gallons' of ;petrol, '3oo* rifles, and important, plans of defences have been found by the policy at Croydon Hall, near Dunster, Somerset, the residence of Count Conrad llochberg, a German, says the ' ( Daily^Express." The. count disappeared when \Var was declared with Germany, and he sent a telegram to his foreign valet to ''blow up the place," The telegram was handed to the police, and they seized the mansion, which was found to be magnificently furnished and to contain a rare collection of art treasures. The entire property is valued at £IOO,OOO. The history of Croydon Hall is extremely interesting. Fiv£ or six years ago the count purchased a plot of land, which at the moment did not seem to be very desirable, for it was exposed to the Bristol .Channel'and difficult of access. The new owner of the land said that he wished to build a hunting-box, and, nothing seemed more natural in the heart of the Devon and Somerset staghunting country. The ' was built on the top of a hill facing the Channel. No ship or aircraft could pass that way unobserved, and no one could climb any of the three roads leading to the place without being observed by the inhabitants. The cost of the "hunting-box" was between £BO,OOO and £60,000. The plans ;iiid designs were original, and caused comment in the neighbourhood. All the windows faced the sea. The rooms had iavers of seaweed packed between the boards to make the place silent. In the grounds large mounds of earth were built, and hedges were planted on top. A large hole was dug—large enough to bury the entire population of the place. When asked what it was the owner said it was meant for a cesspool! When all was finished it was thought that the owner would hunt, but lie did not. do so. He went, away, and when he returned he brought with hint many foreign servants and friends, and one Englishman. The Englishman was said to be an ex-

soldier, who acted as private secretary at a high salary. ... , >, A watchman guarded the house at night, and many dogs wandered about the grounds and outbuildings.