BLIND MILLIONAIRE

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 73, Issue 371, 15 September 1930, Page 8

BLIND MILLIONAIRE

STILL RUNNING A THEATRE BRIGHT OUTLOOK ON LIFE Mr Archibald Ncttlcfold, the millionaire manager and lessee of the Comedy Theatre who. as reported recently, is still supervising plans for film productions though he has lost his

sight is undeterred by his affliction. “I am not going to let myself become depressed,” he said to a Daily Mail representative. “After all, I have four senses left, and that is something to be thankful for. I have had plenty of enjoyment out of my life up till now, and I intend to get heaps more yet.’’ A desperate struggle by specialists preceded Mr Nettlefold’s blindness, and now, in his beautiful house near Wrotham, Kent, he is trying to accustom himself to his new conditions. “I hope very soon to be having new plays read to me,” Mr Nettlefold said, “and to continue at the helm of the Comedy Theatre for many more years. The rebuilding of my film studios at Walton-on-Thames has just been completed, and there also I intend to be active.” When Mr Ncttlefold was young he wanted to take up music. He was always wealthy enough to be independent of financial gain, but he was told that his health w;vld not permit the necessary 'study. He turned to farming and made a great success of it. Ten years ago Mr Ncttlcfold became interested in West End theatres. In his early days as a manager he took parts in two of his productions at the Kingsway Theatre. Not long ago Mr Nettlefold purchased the tiny Burgh Island, some 20 miles from Plymouth, and is now building a hotel there. He is also interested in tea-rooms in London, and is still running his model farm at Wrotham Park.