THE HERO OF KUT.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 11762, 28 July 1916, Page 1

THE HERO OF KUT.

NO LONGER HEIR TO A PEERAGE General Towr.sheiid, the hero of Kut-ol-Amara, who is at present a prisoner iu the bauds ot' the 't urics, is no longer tlie iieir presumptive to tae Marquisate oi 'Lownsueud, as since the gallant general sprung into lame, an heir has been born to the present Marquis. Trior to this event the heir' t<s the marquisato was General Townshend, who is great nephew to the fourth jiiarquis, grandfather of the present peer, when the Townshend heiriooms were soid. General Townshend's - father-in-law, the Comte d'Anvers, bought the bulk of the family plate and many of the pictures in order to prevent these heirlooms from being dispersed. Lord Townshend has been the principal figure iu some of the most sensational litigation of recent years. In 1900 a ten days' inquiry,into the state of the Marquis's mind resulted in the jury of twenty-one finding that he was capable of taking care of himself but not capable of managing his business affairs. He theVefero retained his personal liberty absolutely, but his estates were managed* by officials appointed by the Crown, the income derived from them going to his lordship.' SENSATIONAL TRIAL. Another sensational Townshend trial took place in .ivue?, the result oi which was tuat Mr Arthur Geoffrey Robins, and ex-clergyman, was removed from t-iie position of trustee for the Marquis. Tno accusation against Robins was that he had disposed improperly of a, large number of the Townsiiend hoirloo'ns. Judge Bucknill, after the cause eelebre of i9'3o, remarked to the jury: '"1 shall not bo surprised if you come to the conclusion that lie may live with his wife, and I hops he will be> very happy. The best person with whom he can live is his wite."' •The Marquis was also defendant, in 1905, in an action for breach cl" promise brought by Mrs. Shctfheld. The lady, whose career had been . remarkable, .failed to prove her case, which was withdrawn with dramatic suddenness. Six months after thtf breach of promise action Lord Townsncnd- was married to a barrister's daughter, Miss Gladys Ethel Gwendoline Sutherst,_ fctie present Marchioness, and mother of the heir. . # ( . The new baby is heir to one _or tne oldest and most distinguished titles in the British peerage. He will inherit a peerage which was- granted by Charles 11. to Horatio Townshend. Bart. The first Marquis was at Dottingen, Fontenoy and Culloden, took over the command of Quebec alter the death, of Wolfe, and afterwards served ,n term as Viceroy of Ireland. Another Townshend was one of tho deputation which requested the Merry Monarch to' return to England. A FAMOUS ANCESTOR.

A later Tcnrasliend, the celebrated statesman, was descnoed by .burKe as "tho delight and ornament of the House ot Commons," whne Macaulay spoke of lnm as " the iuost brilliant aud versatile of mankind, who belcv.go.i to every party and eared ior none. ' Tiic* present Marquis succeeded his father,' the iilth holder, in 1809. The late Duko of Fife and Sir ivedvers Bulier wore his uncles, the fifth Marquis having married a sister or the Duke of Fife, while his own sister, Audrey, married tho famous Devonshire general. The historic family teat, Kaynham Hnll, Suffolk, was soid at Christie's in 1904. lv rejoices in a well-authenti-cated gho.vt—the apparition of Ludv Dorothy Walpole, second wife of the eighteenth century discount.. In recent times the extensive estates and possessions of the family have been heavily encumbered. At present the Marquis is reported to be tne possessor of some 20,000 acres of land. Tho Marchioness of Townshend is noted for her beauty and artistic versatiiifv. She is tho author of several books of verse, plays and picture dramas. She has stage-managed her own dramas, and even painted the scenery. During the war she has taken an active interst in nursing.