A CHANCERY ROMANCE.

Gisborne Times, Volume X, Issue 938, 10 July 1903, Page 2

A CHANCERY ROMANCE.

THE BLAKE FORTUNE,

(To the Editor Gisborne Times.)

Sir, -Under tho above and similar headings a cable message from London appeared in your columns and throughout the loading newspapers of Australia and New Zealand at the end of last month, in reference to a sum of £560,000 in chancery, in the estate of the Jato Helen Blake. These cables have been extensively copied by the country press, and , have created widespread interest. IhaJe' been inundated with letters from all parts on the subject, and most of my correspondents seem to imagine that Helen Blake had recently died ; and the readibg of the cables in question would make it - appear so. In view of the great interest taken in the matter, the following particnlars may interest your readers: The deceased Helen Blake, nee Sheridan, was born in Ireland during the latter part of last century, of humble parentage. Early in life she attracted tho attention of Ail English officer, named Robert Dudley Blake, with whom she eloped and married him in 1810. The husband’s family and relations bitterly resented the alleged mesalliance and disowned him. He and his wife then emigrated to Ohio, U.S.A.,' and the husband went into business and amassed a large fortune. Finding his end approaching he desired to be reconciled,/ to his family, and left for England, having' first executed a will leaving everything to his wife. He died almost on arrival; and shortly afterwards his widow came to England and died intestate, over aquartor of a century agn, at Earl’s Terrace, Ken-, sington, London, leaving personalty valued at £140,000, and considerable real estate. According to the English law, the real estate would go to tho heir-at-law, and the personalty to the next-of-kin.■ Shortly after iter death I was instructed' in the matter, aud, turning over ipy re-„ cordß I found that as there.were no next-of-kin or other legal rerresentative of deceased, the solicitor to Her Treasury took possession of the estate and advertised for the heir-at-law and others entitled to a beneficial interest in the distribution of the estate; many claimants replied. In the year 1877 an action was commenced in the High Court of Justice, England (Chancery Division), 1877, No. ' 332. *• The solicitor for the affairs of Her . g Majesty’s Treasury” v. Her Majesty’s Attorney General, to adjudicate on claims. All creditors were required to send in their claims before the 11th June, 1877, and to , produce every security before the Master , of the Rolls on Monday, the 25th June, 1877. At the same time an order was made, calling on the next-of-kin or other legal representative, and all other claimants to the estate to send in their claims to the solicitor for the affairs of Her Majesty’s Treasury before the 11th Jnne, 1877 No one substantiated a claim, and the estate reverted to the Crown, and it is now more than probable that after the lapse of years it will remain in the possession of the Crown.

It appeared, however, that the deceased Helen Blake had evidently desired to make some disposition of her property, as , memoranda were found amongst her papers, indicating to some extent her intentions in respect of her estate. Acting on these the Lord of the Treasury directed payment of a portion of the personal estate ; the late Eight Hon. W. E. Gladstone getting £IOOO. Like many" other large unclaimed es- • tates this one has been, and is being exploited by shady agencies in England and America, and I should strongly advise any of your readers, who may receive circulars from these, or who contemplate making a claim, not to waste money in forwarding fees abroad, but to first consult some respectable solicitor, and take his advice. The full history of this case is very romantic, but too long to embody in a letter. I shall be glad to supply your readers with any further information, free of cost, on personal application, or by letter, on receiving stamped envelope for reply.—l am etc., Thos. W. Lloyd. Lloyd’s Next-of-Kin, Unclaimed Money and General Law Agency. 101 Swanston street, Melbourne,