Recluse's surprise millions

An elderly Blenheim man who kept to himself and saved money where he could has made a startling $10 million bequest to a museum.

Arthur Henry Harrison died recently aged 92 in a house fire started by embers from the wood burner he kept stoked with wood collected from neighbouring properties.

It was just one aspect of a modest life.

Those who knew him described a quiet man who grew his own vegetables and would walk into central Blenheim rather than catch a taxi. Few would have guessed that he had a hidden fortune.

Harrison left $10m to Canterbury Museum - the largest donation in the museum's 130-year history.

Distant relative and former business associate Wayne Boyce probably knew him better then most.

Both Harrison and Boyce were directors for a time of Adams Properties Blenheim Limited, managing properties in the town.

"I had an idea he had a fairly big estate but I had no idea how big.

"He lived a modest life but wasn't afraid to see the world. Even after his wife died 25 years ago he would travel around the world."

Harrison had two sisters living in Australia but rarely saw them, Boyce said.

Tris Winstanle owned a business next to Harrison's home and would regularly talk to him.

"He was a kindly soul. He used to clean up our yard in exchange for fire wood and keep an eye on the business if we were away. He was sort of an unpaid caretaker."

Anthony Wright, director of Canterbury Museum, said he had never had any dealings with Harrison.

"I don't know what the connection is at all but often we never know."