DEATH OF MRS. E. M. ROSSE

Taranaki Daily News, 21 July 1933, Page 9

DEATH OF MRS. E. M. ROSSE

OPEN VERDICT RETURNED MAUNDY GREGORY NOT PRESENT. WOMAN’S FORTUNE LEFT TO HIM. NO POISON FOUND IN THE BODY. By Telegraph—Press Assn.—Copyright London, July 19. An open verdict was given at the: inquest to-day into the death of Mrs. Edith Marion Rosse, who died on September 14 and whose body was exhumed for examination by an order of the Home Office. The housekeeper said' Mrs.* Rosse was suddenly ill after lunch on September 3, after which‘ she made a will leaving everything to Maundy Gregory. A servant said the housekeeper attended to the food. Gregory ha’d not interfered.. Sir Bernard Spilsbury, patholof/st, in evidence stated that he found no cause for death. Dr. Roche Lynch, Home Office analyst, said the organs did not reveal poison. An accountant said he i-superintended Mrs. Rosse’s and Gregory’s financial affairs. Mrs. Rosse died. worth £lB,OOO. Gregory was previously in a good position, but at. the time of. Mrs. -.Rosse’s death, owing to litigation, he owed several thousands and had overdrawn at one bank and obtained credit from another. Mrs.'Rosse previously told him that Gregory had been pressing hef for financial assistance. A police inspector stated that he served a subpoena on Gregory’s solicitors demanding his attendance to-day. It was understood that Gregory was in Paris. Mr. Frampton, Gregory’s solicitor, said that Gregory left the country owing to civil matters.

Mr. Vines, representing the relatives, contended that Gregory’s evidence was vital, and urged an adjournment. The coroner said there was no useful purpose in adjourning. Sir Bernard Spilsbury’s and . Dr. Lynch’s evidence indicated that no poison was found, or ever would be found.’ Only an open verdict was possible, and he returned a verdict accordingly. ... GREGORY’S AMAZING CAREER. “TITLE SALE” FRAUD ATTEMPT. Gregory has had an amazing career. He was in February last sent to prison for two months in the second division and fined £5O for endeavouring tb obtain £lO,OOO from a retired commander of the Royal Navy, as an inducement to assist in obtaining for that officer the grant of a dignity or' title. , Though unfamiliar to the general public, Gregory for years has been one of the most conspicuous figures in .the environs of Whitehall, where he had an elegant and. impressive suite of offices close to the residence of the Prime Minister. In his wide circle of acquaintances he numbered some of the most celebrated people of the day, and was on' terms of intimate friendship with kings, princes, peers, statesmen and representatives of all arts and sciences. A man of distinguished presence, he was always faultlessly dressed, and wore a conspicuous watch' chain of diamonds. Mrs. Rosse was Gregory’s friend for nearly 30 years. On her death her personal fortune went to him under. the terms pf her will, which read: “Everything I have, if anything happens to me, -to be left to Mr. J.' Maundy Gregory, to be disposed of as he thinks best and in accordance with what I should desire.” " .'. .’ ’ ' . '

In the de'ath certificate Mrs. Rosse was described as the wife of Frederick Rosse, •musical composer. Her age was given as .59 years. A close friend of Gregory and Mrs. Rosse said that the latter always, ref erred to Gregory as “Uncle Jim,” and it was understood that she was related to him. She occupied the upper half of Gregory’s premises at 10 Hyde Park Terrace.

The friend said: “I believe Mrs.’ Rosse gave Gregory a good deal of assistance some years ago, when he set. up in business. It was she who suggested that offices should "be taken in Whitehall when Gregory was proposing to take an office on the third floor of a building in Piccadilly." That was in 1919. She had exceptional business qualities and was able to help Gregory in many ways. She' had a private'” income, which was largely derived from a half-share of her husband’s royalties.” At the inquiry Frederick Rosse, the dead woman’s former husband, gave evidence- that he and, his wife resided in the lower half of Gregory’s house for two years, when .they legally, separated. “Although my wife possessed a fortune I contributed half my income for her support, which, was .never .under £360 yearly. She remained in Gregory’s house, passing as a sister.” . . . . Rosse told the newspapers that the inquiry- into-the death was started at the request of himself and his relatives.