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Star (Christchurch), Volume LXVI, Issue 20543, 19 February 1935, Page 1

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Eccentric Man Waited Five Years for Death. LONDON, February 10. When a Harley Street specialist told Henry Wykey Prosser, wealthy Hurstbourne Tarrant (Hants) squire that he had only five years to live, he immediately began building for himself a £SOOO mausoleum. Now he lies in this miniature temple, built of Portland cement. It is built on top of a hill overlooking the village and is visible for miles. Prosser personally supervised the mausoleum’s erection and used to sit for hours in his mansion on the other side of the valley watching his future grave growing to completion. Left Her All. Prosser has left £IOO,OOO to his housekeeper, Miss Raynham, provided she continues to live at his mansion and remains unmarried. He had, during his life, a terrible fear of burglars, and would not retire until the servants had examined all doors, blinds and shutters and then inspected the revolver and cartridges which always lay by his pillow. He also had a passion for organ music and would play for hours at his £IO.OOO organ, with only his housekeeper as audience. Other eccentricities included unconventional clothing. Sometimes he went shopping dressed in a rich fur coat, under which he wore only pants, waistcoast and dressing-gown.