PASSION FOR MONEY

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 74, Issue 279, 25 November 1931, Page 11

PASSION FOR MONEY

WIFE’S HOARDING HABIT WIDOWER’S PLEA TO COURT. “My wife had a passion for the acquisition and hoarding of money and property. On one occasion I discovered 100 sovereigns sewn in a cloth at the back of the wardrobe.” This statement was contained in an affidavit filed in a Sydney Court recently by Conrad von Hagen, a 75-year-old pensioner, in support of an application on behalf of himself and his daughter, Sophie Goi von Hagen, for an order directing that adequate provision be made for their maintenance out of his deceased wife’s estate, which was valued for probate at £2846. No provision was made for tho widower, but his daughter was left a house and 10s a week for two years. “I always supported my wife,” declared von Hagen, “and in prosperous times gave her £7 a week. She tried to save as much as possible, so much so that frequently I was forced to buy provisions for the home. My wife was accustomed to shut up certain rooms of the house, in which she stored useless and valueless articles, such as old carpets and old buggy lamps. “For 13 years prior to her death my wife was totally blind, during which time she was cared for by Sophie. I have always lived happily with my wife, and have sacrificed everything for her comfort.’’ In asking that the matter be stood ‘

over generally, counsel for the trustees said that the will named certain beneficiaries in England, and it was not known whether they were alive. There was also a provision for a gift of land to a Church of England institution, the

existence of which was in some doubt. Tho Judge granted the application.