Concerning Dukes.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XLIV, Issue 2, 12 January 1910, Page 9

Concerning Dukes.

We have been hearing a good deal about dukes of late. A writer in the “Strand Magazine” has gathered some facts and figures concerning these men, their estates, and their incomes. The title of “duke” —i.e., leader—first came into use when the Emperor Constantine separated the civil and military commands in the Roman provinces, and the military governor became either a count or a duke. But in England the title was not known until the Black Prinee was created Duke of Cornwall in 1335, and so became the first English duke. For a long time the title was restricted to Royalty. The Dukes now own over four million acres of land, the average for each of twenty-seven mentioned being about 150,000 acres. The Duke of Norfolk derives his chief income from his London and Sheffield estates, and it is not far short of £BO,OOO per annum. The Duke of Somerset owns 25,327 acres, and his annual income is over £37,000. The Duke of Grafton is the possessor of 25,773 acres, valued at £39,254 a year. The Duke of Bedford, the owner of tho Bedford estate in Bloomsbury, enjoys an income of £142,000 per annum. The Duke of Devonshire owns 198,572 acres, with a rent-roll of £180,750. The Duke of Hamilton has 157,386 acres, with an income of £73,636 from land, and £67,006 from mines and quarries. The Duke of Bueeleuch owns 460,108 acres, and has an inmoce of £221,000 a year from his land. The income of the Duke of Portland, it is estimated, cannot be far from half-asmillion a year. The Duke of Sutherland is the largest landowner in the Kingdom, and the Duke of Westminster has an income at present of nearly £200,000 a year, which is likely to be increased in the future.