Since the death of Lord Melchett, the head of Imperial Chemical Industries, on December 27th, there has been considerable speculation in the City concerning the amount of the fortune he left, the “Sunday Express” writes to-day, adding that it understands that he left rather more than £500,000, which will be distributed among his family.
The new Lord Melchett, formerly Mr. Henry Mond, will have more than half the estate as his share. The Dowager Lady Melchett will be amply provided for, but the extent to which she will benefit is not exactly known, as life and reversionary interests figure in the bequest. The late Lord Melchett’s other three children, Lady Erleigh, the Hon. Mrs. C. W. Hordern, and the Hon. Mrs. F. J. Buckland, are also legatees. Melchett Court, the beautiful home of the family at Romsey, Hants, will go to the new peer.
The estate on the shore of the Sea of Tiberias in Palestine, the “Express” reports, will go to Lady Erleigh She is shortly to pay it a visit, accompanied by Dr. Weizmann, the Zionist leader.
There will not, it is understood, the paper states, be any new charitable bequests in the will, as Lord Melchett made extensive bequests during his lifetime. Melchett Court, the family seat, near Romsey, Hants, is to be closed for a period of three years. The late Lord Melchett’s famous collection of orchids is to be sold early in March.
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