HC Deb 03 July 1884 vol 289 cc1878-9
MR. T. P. O'CONNOR

asked the Secretary to the Treasury, Whether it is true, as stated in The Freeman's Journal of 26th May last, the Treasury had acceded, or intended to accede, to the intentions expressed by will or otherwise by the late Helen Blake; whether the Treasury is in possession of a card or memorandum upon which the late Helen Blake wrote instructions as to the inscription to be placed upon her tombstone, either in the above form or otherwise; and, whether the Treasury is in possession of any, and what, proof of the marriage of the parents of Helen Blake and of her birth; and, if so, whether they will allow same to be inspected?

MR. COURTNEY

Under the authority of the Chancery Division, and upon the advice of the Law Officers of the Crown, the Treasury have carried out the pecuniary intentions of the deceased in this case so far as they could with any probability be ascertained. It is the fact that a note as to an inscription on her husband's tombstone was found among her papers, with an incomplete addition relating to herself. It is precisely because, after much inquiry, no one has been able to produce any proof of the marriage of the parents of Mrs. Blake, or of her birth, that the duty of dealing with her property has devolved upon the Treasury.

MR. T. P. O'CONNOR

asked if a gentleman named Sheridan had a primá facie case of his relation to this lady, would the Treasury allow him to inspect the documents in this case for the purpose of negativing or affirming his statement?

MR. COURTNEY

said, they had an enormous number of applications from Sheridans and Blakes who persuaded themselves that they were intimately connected with this lady. If this gentleman, whom he did not know, could identify himself as being connected with this lady, he would be entitled to all the assistance that they could give him.

COLONEL NOLAN

Would the hon. Gentleman say that some of the property in question will be spent for the purpose of discovering the relatives of this lady?

MR. COURTNEY

said, that could not be done.