CLAIM TO A DUKEDOM

Taranaki Herald, Volume LIV, Issue 13358, 24 December 1906, Page 5

CLAIM TO A DUKEDOM

THE "DRUCE" CAS©.

[Tnitrrl Press Association — By TSleotrk

Telegraph.— Copyright . London, TTboember 22. The Court has issued commissions to take tine evidence of aged witnesses on botb sides in the Druce case.

(George Hollaanby Druce has claimed the Portland estates, having gone from Australia in J903 to -do so. He says he is the leg-al lineal representative of Thprn-as Dfuoe, of 'Baker-stroet London, wh ; o, he allges was d''*et "fifth Duke of Portland. It is &aid that stram.'g« parallels of /habits and eccentricities in th<e fiifh Duke of Portland and in Thomas, Druoe have been d/iscovered. Both were of thti saon'e Height and build. Both loved to burrow in underground passa-gos— Welbeck iVWjey the Portland .scat, being literally honey-comlbed with subterraareasn works. Botfc 'had strong objections \o, .wine and tobacco. Their portraits show remarkiablc resemblances. Both had am ecoenti-ic nrania for constantly .changing the position of .things a-roun-d them. The story of the life of e»oh alleged separate rersonali.ty k said to fit into the -gaps of tho history of the other. Thte fifth' Dul»© of Portland is found to appear in public liy when Thamas Druoe is misgirug 1 . Whein 1 Druce reappears tiherc is no trace of the Duke.)'