SURPRISE £25,000 GIFT.

Waikato Times, Volume 107, Issue 18024, 20 May 1930, Page 10

SURPRISE £25,000 GIFT.

RECTOR'S DAUGHTER AS HEIRESS. RICH MAN’S FRIENDSHIP. Good fortune which has come the way of a vicar's daughter reflects, ir a happy way an old-standing friendship. It is revealed that, under the will of Mr John Samuel Newlyn, a wealthy company director, Miss Marjorie Joyce Clementson is to receive about £25,000. She also receives a motor-car, the use of Mr Newlyn-’s house and furniture, and a cash sum of £ISOO.

Mr Newlyn was so deeply attached to Miss Clementson that he once told her father, the Rev. John S. Clementson, that if it were possible he would like to adopt her as his daughter. About six years ago Mr Newlyn’s wife died, and for some months he lay in a serious condition. Miss Clementson. as the rector’s daughter, used to visit him, and tried to make his life easier. In due course Mr Newlyn recovered, and became a firm friend of the rector and his daughter. On several nights during the week he would visit the rectory for dinner. In his will Mr Newlyn stipulated that if and when Miss Clementson marries she loses all her fortune. In making that condition, however, he overlooked English law. The courts in England Will Not Uphold a Condition attached to a legacy to an unmarried pefson that he or she shall not marry. Such a condition is against public policy, and a condition contrary to public policy is void. The legatee therefore, takes the legacy just as though no condition had been attached. “No one was more surprised than Marjorie,” remarked the rector, referring to his daughter’s legacy. “ Neither Marjorie nor 1 had any idea that the will included my daughter’s name—or at least that she would benefit to such a large extent. Mr Newlyn, who had been married over 40 years, was naturally somewhat lonely, and he welcomed the company of my daughted. Mr Newlyn, my daughter and I travelled in Switzerland and Italy, and were the closest friends possible. At present my daughter is staying at Knoll House. Mr Newlyn’s former home, and Hit expense of keeping the estate is cl timing all her attention at the moment. There is a large staff, and her legacy does not allow any really big luxuries With regard to the proviso in the will that my daughter should not .marry, or by doing so should forfeit the house and income, I am afraid it is not for me to criticise the will of a dead man. I can say that Marjorie hds no intention of marrying, as far as I know at present, nor has she ever been engaged or desirous of marrying.”