CONAN DOYLE’S WILL.

Waikato Times, Volume 108, Issue 18164, 31 October 1930, Page 5

CONAN DOYLE’S WILL.

£4OO FOR SPIRITUALISM. GRATITUDE TO A SECRETARY. Gifts made to spiritualistic societies are an interesting feature of the will of the late Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, the famous novelist and supporter of spiritualism. Sir Arthur bequeaths—£loo to the Spiritualistic Alliance of London. £IOO to the National Spiritualistic Union of Manchester, and £2OO to the Psychic College, London. Commenting in his will on these bequests, Sir Arthur expresses himself “well convinced that these institutions represent the most important religious movement that the world now holds.” lie adds: “If I have not left more to promote this cause it is because in my lifetime I have been able to devote considerable sums to this end, and because my successors will, I known follow my example in combating materialism. . . The amount of Sir Arthur’s unsettled property is estimated at £30,000, and his settled property at a much larger sum. Written entirely by his own hand and drawn up by himself, Sir Arthur’s will was . made on May 6 this year, lie appointed his wife and his eldest son as executors. To Lady Conan Doyle he bequeathed £SOO, to be paid at once, all his household property, “including Books, Pictures and Manuscripts,

to sell or not, as she may desire,” and half the residue of his estate, after the payment of a number of bequests. The will directs that an annuity of £250 a year shall be paid to Sir Arthur's former secretary, Alfred 11. Wood, “in consideration of his putting his services at the disposal of my wife, should she desire his advice or help.” Another annuity of £SO a year is to be paid to Monsignor Richard Barry Doyle, “now residing on the Riviera.” To his elder daughter, Mary, Sir Arthur left £2OOO, as well as interest from certain shares. To Clara Doyle, of Cliff Road, Eastbourne, he bequeathed £IOOO. His chauffeur, William Latter, “if still in my employ,” is to receive £IOO. Among other legacies Sir Arthur left £SO each “to Linda Falconer and A. C. Walford, of the Psychic Bookshop, Victoria Street, if still employed in the shop.” The will further states, "My executors shall deal as they think best with copyrights, plays, cinema rights or unpublished manuscripts, it ieing my wish that the advice and co-operation of A. S. Watt, of Norfolk Street, be always obtained.”