炒日本樓 恐賺價蝕匯

日本上周發表白皮書，年齡介乎30至40歲的國民買樓比例，由八三年的53%，跌至○八年的39%，而租樓比例則由40%升至60%。最近有日本豪宅來港展銷，保證租金年回報2.2至4%。曾在日本生活數年的加拿大人，三年前起在東京買入面積小至120平方呎的小型單位收租，租金回報高達10%。日圓兌美元近日又跌穿100，港元購買力上升，日本勢成為另類物業投資市場。

上周五晚上七時多，在中環一間酒店會議室裏，三、四十名中年人專注聆聽一個日本樓盤的說明會。

這個位於東京麻布的新盤，就在東京鐵塔附近，兩房（638平方呎）及三房（832平方呎）單位售價門檻分別為6,190萬及8,970萬日圓（約480萬及700萬港元），並設代租服務，扣除費用後保證租金年回報2.2至4%不等。中銀日本提供的按揭息率約2.5%，但只可借樓價50至60%。

上班族吼市區的骰戶

在港定居21年的戴龍（Christopher Dillon）本身從事顧問工作，曾在東京住三年（八九至九二年），一○年開始在東京買樓，至今手上有三個小型單位收租，並即將買進第四個，「在麻布區的高級公寓，收租回報只有3至4%，而我買的單位都位於市區，方便上班族返工，但面積只有24平方米，最小的更只有12平方米，但回報率有7至10%！」他說日本只有實用面積，發展商不能「發水」。

在港、日均有物業的戴龍，目前只投放約一成資金在日本「磚頭」上，他直言東京樓價不高，5.5萬美元（約43萬港元）已可買到一個小型獨立單位，同一價錢在香港只買到一個車位，「香港樓市，人人尋求資本增值，但東京樓市，尋求的是收息回報（Yield），其實香港樓價已近頂，相反日本樓價則在底，分散投資十分重要。」

戴龍指，在日本放租好處多，譬如租客「企理」、準時交租，「在日本租屋，租戶要找家人當保證人，欠租的話，保證人要上身，甚至有公司專門替孤兒承保，而且即使是低下階層聚居的小區，街道衞生和治安也很好，若在美國，那些社區都是充滿罪惡和垃圾。」

東京約六成人口居住在23區內，總人口自一○年開始下降，但居住在中央五區（涉谷、新宿、港區、中央及千代田）人口更不跌反升。

東京買樓僅一成外資

以金額計，外地買家去年佔倫敦及紐約樓市分別63%及31%，而東京只有10%，即九成都是本地買家。仲量聯行資本市場主管水野明彥表示，在日本買樓，很多經紀只會說日語，而且文件都是日文，增添外國人在當地買樓的難度。

戴龍本身略懂日語，而且在當地有人脈，方便他入市，他承認有時也會出現「雞同鴨講」的情況，但他指近年當地奢侈品行業都攻中國人市場，不懂日語的港人到當地買樓也不難，但日本樓市不像香港般透明，「在香港，可以輕易在網上找到成交、估價等資訊，但在日本要經物業代理才可進入不動產流通機構REINS的資料庫，而且已出租的物業是不能睇樓的，日本人視之為不禮貌。」在日本買賣物業時，要買賣雙方同場以口頭確認資料，包括是否凶宅等。

在日本買樓，要注意購買地震保險，保費會按地區、建築物料、樓齡及抗震力來計算，以東京一般房屋為例，保額1,000萬日圓（約78萬港元），年保費1.7萬日圓（約1,330港元）。

美國樓價搶高,銀主盤已被各地主權基金買晒

美國樓價搶高博未升完

美國樓市在次按風暴後爆煲，但去年起漸見起色，今年四月美國20大城市樓價指數按年更升達12%，為七年來最大的按年升幅。經營美國物業銷售25年的美亞置業投資董事長梁健立表示，「數年前美國法院門外的銀主盤拍賣，15個人競投100間屋，現在是100個人爭15間屋，好難再買到筍盤。」

量寬後資金湧入樓市

梁健立說，佛羅里達、亞利桑那、拉斯維加斯及加州是○八至一○年間，樓價跌得最慘痛的州份，但近年的反彈力亦最強。「美、日量寬，資金都湧去買樓，英國、澳洲學生公寓好搶手，美元趨勢向上，令美元資產動起來。美國銀主盤近一、兩年已被各地主權基金買晒，盤源主要來自兩房（房利美及房地美），每次可能買3、5億美元物業。」

曾在三藩市生活、兒子現居住加州的梁健立說，去年下半年起，港人買美國物業的興趣每季遞增，100個買美樓的港人，少於10個為自住，九成人買來投資收租，最好賣的價位是8萬至15萬美元（約62萬至117萬港元），大多平價單位不做按揭，因為借貸成本高，在次按風暴後，當地銀行審批按揭極為謹慎，安排貸款費用達2至3%。至於外國人做按揭，必須經有提供Foreign Program的銀行辦理，息率較美國人高1.2至1.5個百分點，即30年定息約5至5.5%，借貸成數也只有50至60%。

美需徵收資產增值稅

對於美國要徵收資產增值稅，梁健立說，每人有3萬元免稅額，假設一對夫婦買一個價值10萬美元的物業，樓價升了50%後沽出，賺了5萬美元，二人合共有6萬元免稅額，不用交相關稅項。他說，聯邦政府稅全國劃一，外國人入息稅首3,900美元免稅，3,900至7,800美元稅率10%，7,800至3.5萬美元則為15%，州政府的稅率不高（以稅務顧問為準）。

但他提醒，在美國買銀主盤或短售屋（Short Sale）時，必須查明業權（所有債權人），確定上手業主清還債權銀行及再融資公司款項、房產稅、物業管理費等，否則新業主要承擔負債。

仲量聯行亞太區董事王美嫺亦表示，近月有關海外物業的查詢多了10至15%，「環球投資市場近月表現欠佳，在沒甚好的投資機會下，錢只得放在銀行，香港人開始『身痕』，可能由最初尋求較港元存款佳的投資機會，到買賣外幣賺到錢，又覺得唔夠，進一步考慮買『磚頭』，在海外置業的人士一般對當地貨幣有一定認識，而且本地遲婚族愈來愈多，年齡35至45歲才結婚生育，仔女入大學時都差不多要退休，倒不如把握黃金搏殺期在海外買樓，仔女將來海外升學時又可以入住。」

「發達之道」

港產漫畫家馬榮成，窺見其「發達之道」，

擅長樓市投資 身家數十億

具體專訪內容暫不「劇透」，而憑《中華英雄》和《風雲》畫出彩虹的馬榮成，同樣擅長的是樓市投資，目前擁有半山倚巒等逾30項物業，身家達數十億元，他也很可能是全球最有錢的漫畫家（日本最富有的《龍珠》作者鳥山明據估計身家約18億港元）。所謂「大富由天」，「武林神話」不易複製，例如他的創作天才及投資戰績絕大多數人都難以仿效，然而箇中亦有可借鑑之處，姑且把其「發達之道」整理如下：

 

一、專藝創富

馬榮成20歲開始畫《中華英雄》，3年後（1983年）高峰期每期銷量達20萬冊，超越了其老闆黃玉郎的《龍虎門》（高峰期銷量14萬冊）；正如馬榮成自述：「每個後生仔都想成為黃玉郎，但我23歲就超越了黃玉郎。」

 

按《中華英雄》初期售價3元，每周賣20萬冊，等於每月創造營業額240萬元。在1989年「斬手」事件後，黃玉郎曾透露，馬榮成每年收入（包括底薪、稿費、花紅）達600萬元；資料顯示，太古城一個實用面積582方呎兩房「則王」單位，在1989年成交價約100萬元，換言之馬榮成當年年薪可以「夫披」6個太古城單位。及後馬榮成自立門戶，並推出更受歡迎的《風雲》系列，收入更上層樓。憑着創作天才猶如「印銀紙」，馬榮成其實不必投資出色，只要避免像影星謝賢或黃玉郎般「散財」，已可自然富起來。

 

二、性格孤寒

然而，「守財」談何容易，再以黃玉郎作比較，同為畫壇宗師，輩分高過馬榮成（年齡大11歲），成名和發達都更早，偌大一個玉郎集團，旗下除了《龍虎門》，還有《醉拳》、《如來神掌》等熱賣作品，後來更成功推動玉郎集團上市，讓其在1986年身家已達20億元。然而，黃玉郎正因無守好財，在1987年炒燶股票，不但輸到入肉，還擅取上市公司3000多萬元公款，被判監4年。1993年出獄後雖憑《天子》、《神兵》等系列東山再起，惟已錯失太多籌碼和機遇，今日身家難與後輩馬榮成相提並論。

這可歸結於兩人性格差異，黃玉郎愛以「皇帝」自居，喜歡大批手下和朋友簇擁，花錢大手大腳，而且往往只看到機會而忽略了風險，以致過度樂觀，又不重視細節和數字（皇帝不會管這些，全交由祈文傑等親信代勞），這種性格自難「守財」。相反馬榮成出名「孤寒」，對於手下最多一分貨給一分錢，即使其好友少傑（翟平輝）以及曾為其捱刀的崔源發也不例外；在「斬手」事件後，馬榮成日益不信外人，其天下出版社長期交由親妹馬淑珠擔任CEO揸數。

但從商業角度看，「孤寒」實非貶意，反而代表注重成本效益和微觀管理，所謂應使則使，包括邵逸夫（一張信紙剪開幾次用）、邱德根（限員工用幾格廁紙）等一代富豪均擅長此道，甚至可視為長期富裕之必備條件。

三、投資心態正確

馬榮成最值得大多數人學習的，在於其擁有正確投資心態，例如在《信報月刊》專訪中所講，「如果你有錢，卻懶得管，就唔值得有錢！」實屬理財學至理名言。馬榮成買股票和買樓皆親力親為，現時手頭只有兩隻收息股滙控（00005）和盈富（02800），不買基金，「因不愛別人代勞，輸也要知道為何輸」。至於其投資主力當然是樓市，緣於他在畫畫之外，對於睇樓和裝修設計也有濃厚興趣，「買樓係我興趣，不會假手於人」。因此他至今幾十次交易及手持逾30個物業，均屬親自勤力睇樓而來。

 

親力親為之餘，他還勝在「平常心」，不像黃玉郎喜歡勇猛短炒賺快錢，馬榮成每次買樓均視作長期投資，亦不強求「撈底」，只考慮是否心頭好及物有所值，「唔係每個人都可以在最好時機做決定，我從來無想過撈底，主要是看這件嘢係唔係值得呢個價。」憑樓市發達，難得他沒荒疏本業，繼續每日「工作狂」十幾小時，《天下畫集》在後期仍有4萬冊銷量，成為逆市奇葩；這亦因投資樓市相對不費神：「股票波動大，影響心情，寫稿或睡覺時，股市大跌，點算呀？」

 

持平常心者，反而往往買到平貨，最為人知的是在2008年金融海嘯爆發後，他以7600萬元買入豪宅倚巒單號屋，現已升值逾兩倍。當然，前提是要像馬榮成般，憑着成功本業（漫畫）及過往投資基礎帶來穩定現金流，才可安心持貨及隨時出擊。在1997、2003、2008年樓市大跌期間，馬榮成同樣安然渡過甚至趁低吸納，沒有翻艇。

 

四、食正地運

所謂地有地運，不同地區適合投資不同資產，不容拗頸，最明顯的是香港宜買樓，美國宜買股。例如畢非德若在美國專注房地產投資，恐難有今日身家；而香港憑投資股票賺大錢者寥寥可數（反而「印股票」較有機會賺錢），買樓而賺到小型（1億元以下）以至中等（例如馬榮成）財富的例子則數之不盡。有說「一遇地產便化龍」，霸氣如雄霸也難「逆天改運」。馬榮成21歲首次拿到豐厚花紅，便一擲75萬元買入北角城市花園單位，自此走上「正路」，在樓市不斷滾動積累，結合其他因素，滾出幾十億元身家。

sourc:e; 信報財經新

購買日本樓涉及不少稅項

準買家亦須注意，購買日本樓涉及不少稅項，且加租亦不容易，故短綫炒賣並不適合。

購買日本住宅涉及相當多的稅項，包括有登記免許稅、房產取得稅，稅款為日本政府按照單位的估值2%至3%。亦有印花稅，與香港購買住宅物業所繳交的印花稅相類似，稅款須視乎單位成交價而定，介乎2,000至10萬日圓不等。

買家亦須繳付代理佣金，一般為3%，另有消費稅，自本年4月起已調高至8%，上述提及的稅項均屬一次性繳費。

除此之外，單位的業主每年須繳固定資產稅及都市計劃稅，簡稱「固都稅」，為單位估值的1.43%，業主亦須就租金收入繳稅，一般為5%。

物業5年內轉售 稅率30%

而且，業主如轉售物業，須支付資產增值稅，假如單位持有5年內易手，須繳轉售賺幅的30%。

5年後則為賺幅的15%。東日物業顧問高級經理奧山千香子指，境外人士所繳的資本增值稅稅率已較日本人為低，日本人持有的單位如在5年內轉售，稅率是36%，5年後則為20%。

Summary:

1)登記免許稅

2)房產取得稅

3)印花稅

4)代理佣金

5)消費稅

(上述提及的稅項均屬一次性繳費)

6)每年須繳固定資產稅及都市計劃稅，簡稱「固都稅」

7)資本增值稅

Sir Elton John’s mother celebrated her 90th birthday in very different style

With an estimated £240m, Sir Elton is one of the richest singers of all time

The pop star is now on a US tour, earning a reported £340,000 per show

5,000 miles away, his mother celebrated her birthday at low-key restaurant

She's not thought to have spoken to her son for seven years after family rift

He is one of the richest pop stars of all time, with an estimated £240 million fortune – and he is now on a US tour that includes an extended stay at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas, earning a reported $500,000 (£340,000) per show.

But more than 5,000 miles away from the glitzy showbiz mecca, Sir Elton John’s mother celebrated her 90th birthday in very different style – at a £14-a-head tapas restaurant near her home in West Sussex.

Sheila Farebrother is not thought to have spoken to her son for seven years after a family rift, and was joined by two friends for the modest lunch at the Restaurante Andalucia in Worthing on Thursday.

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World's apart: Sir Elton is on tour in the US (pictured last week) as his mother, in purple, dines with friends

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£14-a-head: The Restaurante Andalucia, centre, where Sir Elton's mother, Sheila Farebrother, celebrated

Speaking later at her £740,000 four-bedroom home on a private estate near Littlehampton, she appeared to rule out any reconciliation in the broken relationship with her rock legend son.

Asked if she had been contacted by Sir Elton during her birthday, she simply replied ‘no’, adding: ‘Anyway, it’s none of your business.’

Mrs Farebrother revealed in 2011 that the two had fallen out spectacularly, saying: ‘He has cut me off completely. I don’t want to go into what caused it. It is a painful subject. My son cut me out of his life for good.’

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Family rift: Elton John with his mother and stepfather in 1971. He is still believed to support her financially

It is understood Elton was furious over comments his mother made that offended his partner, David Furnish

It is understood that the 67-year-old musician was furious over comments she made that offended his partner, David Furnish. Their relationship soured so much that Sir Elton did not go to the funeral of his stepfather Fred Farebrother in 2010.

Mrs Farebrother divorced Sir Elton’s father, Stanley Dwight, when the singer was 14.

Sir Elton is still believed to support his mother financially.

................................................................................................

The sitting room of the sunny seaside bungalow is awash with flowers, but Sir Elton John's mother Sheila Farebrother is leading a clear path to one large bowl of white orchids that is perched on a table by her chair.

Still attached to a stem is a simple white card with a note. It reads: 'Wow, 90! Congratulations. Love Elton, David, Zachary and Elijah.'

You can tell from the smile lighting up Sheila's face that the orchids' arrival has a special significance for her. As well it might. For it is the first she has heard from her world-famous son in seven years.

Though she had been a loving mother to him throughout his childhood, and supported him through all of the ups and downs of his career, Elton severed all contact with her after a catastrophic argument.

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Before the split: Elton John with his mother Sheila Farebrother at his 50th birthday bash in 1997

The precise nature of what sparked their rift has hitherto never been explained.

But today Sheila has invited me into her home to reveal exactly what took place between them — and the enduring hurt she feels.

And what an extraordinary story it is: a tale of divided loyalties, control freakery, a dispute over a wedding hat, and, above all, the influence of the person she blames for turning her son against her — Elton's husband, David Furnish.

Devastatingly, she reveals that during one of their final exchanges, her adored son told her that he hated her.

'Yes, it's seven years now in June', she confides quietly about the estrangement from her son. 'But you know, I've got used to it. And it was all so stupid — so petty.'

It all began, she reveals, when Elton telephoned her out of the blue and ordered her to cut off all contact with two of their oldest friends, Bob Halley and John Reid, with whom he had fallen out. 

Bob had been Elton's driver turned personal assistant, whom he had fired after more than 30 years of loyal service as part of a series of changes he was making to his team.

John, meanwhile, had been Elton's brilliant manager — and briefly his lover — and is the man who guided his career from its earliest days through to global superstardom and a £235 million fortune.

Since Sheila had known these two men for decades, and particularly valued their support and companionship in her later years, she flatly refused to cut them out of her life.

As far as she was concerned, they had always taken care of her throughout the years she had spent travelling the world with Elton and thus deserved her loyalty.

And unlike so many of Elton's entourage, she was not afraid to refuse her son's demands.

'I told him: 'I'm not about to do that and drop them. Bob is like a son to me. He has always been marvellous to me and he lives nearby and keeps an eye on me.' '

'Then to my utter amazement, he told me he hated me. And he then banged the phone down. Imagine! To me, his mother!'

A mother, moreover, who was then 83-years-old.

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She accompanied her son when when he received an honorary doctorate at the Royal College of Music in London

Yet despite Elton's cruel words Sheila does not regret standing up to him and indeed is capable of giving as good as she got.

'I had no intention of dropping John and Bob and I told Elton so. He told me I thought more of Bob Halley than I did of my own son.

'And to that I said to him, 'And you think more of that f***ing thing you married than your own mother.' '

By that 'thing' Sheila is referring to David Furnish, Elton's long-term partner and now husband.

'Those were the last words I spoke to him. That's what it's all about. I suppose he was horrified because I dared to disobey.'

No doubt Elton — a supremely gifted man who can be wonderfully generous and warm-hearted to his friends — will have his own interpretation of events.

On the contrary, she is a tolerant and open-minded woman who has many close gay friends, long ago accepted her own son's sexuality and proudly served as a witness at his civil ceremony.

Rather, her anger centres on what she sees as Furnish's attempt to take control of all aspects of Elton's life, at the expense of his old friends and family.

Sheila believes that the only people who matter to Furnish and Elton are the celebrities and the super-rich with whom they now consort. 'It appears all they are interested in these days are people with wealth and fame.'

For Sheila, the first hint of trouble came at Elton and David's civil partnership ceremony at Windsor Guildhall in 2005, for which she was invited to be an official witness.

'I wouldn't comply with everything they wanted me to do, that was the trouble,' she recalls. 'One thing I didn't do was to wear a hat. That didn't go down well with Furnish because he wanted it to be the Wedding of the Year.

An even more wounding incident was to come a few years later — after their heated phone call — and this time it concerned Sheila's husband, Fred Farebrother, to whom she was married for 40 years after divorcing Elton's father, Stanley Dwight.

In 2007, Fred fell ill with a chest infection and battled illness for the next three years until his death at the age of 88. Yet Sheila says that in those final years, Elton never once came to visit him in hospital.

'Fred became even more ill and I think he just hung on thinking that Elton would come to see him and he never did.'

Elton severed all contact with her after a catastrophic argument, pictured together when he received his Knighthood

'We only tried to do everything to help him. Fred idolised him and he was so upset, you know, that he didn't even bother to come and see him when he was in hospital.

There is huge sadness in her eyes as she tells me Elton did not even attend Fred's funeral.

'But clearly Elton wasn't worried about him; he wasn't worried about me, either.

'Oh yes, it's hurt me. It's the way he spoke to me. You know, things I never thought he'd ever say to me, that he hated me.'

Nor could she know that it would lead to seven years when they would not speak at all. 'For all this time I haven't had as much as a Christmas card, a birthday card or a Mother's Day card. Nothing.'

Which brings us, of course, to her 90th birthday party. Although Sheila wasn't expecting her son to make a surprise visit from America — where his current tour includes playing for a reported £340,000 a night at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas —she wasn't going to let that stop her celebrating her birthday in style.

Eighty of her friends turned out to toast her at a party thrown at a converted barn near her West Sussex home. And to add to the fun she hired 'The Ultimate Elton Tribute Band' — led by amazingly realistic Elton lookalike Paul Bacon.

Few families go through life without a row or two along the way, but most learn to make peace eventually. Surely, after seven years, it is time for Elton and Sheila to be reconciled?

Even so, it is to Elton's credit that despite his harsh words, he continues to support Sheila financially as well as providing a roof over her head and paying for her medical bills.

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She said she was not allowed to be in wedding photographs after she refused to wear a hat  

Now, with the arrival of the white orchids for her birthday, does she think perhaps the tide may be changing?

'No,' she says in a resigned way. 'I just think that he [Furnish] has got him now, hasn't he?'

'It's up to him. Maybe, I don't know,' she says. 'I'm happy now. I've got over all the hurt of those seven years. I've got over all the nasty things and the hurtfulness.

'And really, Furnish doesn't want to be with me and I certainly don't want to be with him.'

Surely she must miss the closeness — the fun and the laughter — that she and Elton shared for so many years?

 the fact that she has never even met the two boys whom Elton and David fathered with a surrogate mother.

Even so, she says she is no longer fretting about Elton's absence in her life.

'I'm great because I've got Bob, I've got John, and I've got loads of friends here. I have loads of people around me and I have a lovely life.'

Finally, with enormous dignity, this strong, principled woman says that despite all that has happened, she wishes only that Elton is happy.

Source: the Mail

Crown Princess Mary of Denmark and her husband Prince Frederik wrapped up their whirlwind three day tour of Japan

Crown Princess Mary of Denmark and her husband Prince Frederik wrapped up their whirlwind three day tour of Japan with a fashion show on Saturday.

The royal couple were given front row seats to view a collection of sealskin wares by Danish haute couture designer Jesper Hovring, in Tokyo.

A department store in the city's popular shopping district of Shibuya was transformed into an impromptu runway to host the special guests who dressed up for the occasion.

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Last outing: Crown Princess Mary of Denmark and her husband Prince Frederik wrapped up their whirlwind three day tour of Japan with a fashion show in Tokyo on Saturday

Formal greeting: Earlier in the day the royals met with the Emperor of Japan Akihito and Empress Michiko, with Mary bending down for a low curtsy

Royal encounter: They shook hands outside of the Imperial Palace

Designs included a patterned vest and three-quarter length coat made from seal pelt, a common material used in Greenland for its water resistance qualities.

Continuing in the realm of fashion, the Prince and Princess, who are representing Greenland in Japan, also toured local design school Mode Gakuen which has cooperated with Great Greenland and Kopenhagen Fur to introduce sealskin to new Japanese designers.

Say cheese: Touring the bustling shopping district of Shibuya they posed for photos

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Dapper: Frederik looked smart by his wife of almost 11 years' side in a navy blue suit

Later taking to the streets of the bustling district, the loving couple posed for photos against the backdrop of a myriad of advertising signs.

They were also welcomed to a lunch at the Imperial Palace where they were greeted by the Emperor of Japan himself Akihito, and his wife Empress Michiko.

Adhering to formalities Mary gave a deep curtsy before the Empress.

In 2009, president of the United States Barack Obama caused a stir in his home country when he was photographed bowing at the waist to the Emperor in a similar manner. 

Many commentators voiced the opinion that the president should not bow to a foreign head of state or symbolic monarch but officials responded by saying it was 'protocol' in Japan.

Famous site: Numerous advertising signs could be seen beaming down on the royals

Face to face: They personally met designers at a fashion school which has cooperated with Great Greenland and Kopenhagen Fur

Princess Mary and her HRH Crown Prince Frederik famously met at Sydney's Slip Inn when the Prince was visiting Australia during the 2000 Summer Olympics.

Mary was born the youngest of four children to mathematician and professor John Dalgleish Donaldson and his first wife, Henrietta (née Horne), in Hobart

 In 2009, president of the United States Barack Obama caused a stir in his home country when he was photographed bowing at the waist to the Emperor in a similar manner to Mary's

Source: the Mail

'When you divorce you become poor': What millionaire's ex-wife said

A millionaire building tycoon says he has been left 'homeless' by a divorce ruling he says handed 80% of the family property to his ex-wife.

Construction magnate David Stocker, 61, was used to living the high life during his marriage to former wife Avril, 62.

They had a five-bedroom home in West London valued at £1million, a £100,000 yacht and a £500,000 villa in Spain.

But he told an Appeal Court hearing that his life of luxury is over and he is now unable to get back on the London property ladder because of the couple's divorce.

After the hearing she denied feeling like a winner, saying: 'When you get divorced, you become poor.'

He said a divorce court ruling left his ex-wife with property worth £1.8million - more than seven times his own £250,000 share.

Mr Stocker argued that the division of assets was 'unfair', especially as his former wife has no children to care for.

Despite his pleas, senior judge Mr Justice Blake told him he must accept his new lot, finding there was nothing legally wrong with the original ruling.

The court heard a family judge had handed four-fifths of the £2million-plus family assets to his ex-wife after their 15-year marriage ended in 2011. The divorce ruling came in 2013.

Mr Stocker said he had been obliged to sell his boat - which he valued at £100,000 - and to hand over the keys to the former matrimonial home in Ruislip, north-west London.

The building boss, whose business is based in Rickmansworth, Hertfordshire, was also told to split the Spanish villa - which he valued at more than £500,000 - with his ex-wife.

The couple's Spanish villa (pictured) - worth an estimated £500,000 - was split between the two of them

Mr Stocker, representing himself in court, told Mr Justice Blake he was baffled by the decision, saying: 'We have got no kids - why is it not 50/50?'

He told the judge: 'My wife got a £1m house in Ruislip, half a villa that's worth hundreds of thousands more. My wife got £1.8m in property and I'm left with £250,000.

'I'm entitled to a home under human rights. I told the judge throughout the case that all I wanted was a home out of it,' he went on.

He said he was no longer fielding a barrister in the divorce battle, which has been running for four years, because 'I ran out of money'.

'The assets have 80% gone her way. All I'm asking for is a home,' he added.

Mr Justice Blake however told Mr Stocker that he had no hope of overturning the divorce ruling and would have to accept his reduced circumstances.

'Unfortunately, as happens so often in this type of litigation, everything here has the appearance of an applicant who refuses to have a sense of finality', he said.

'This court doesn't sit as a re-hearing court. You don't just come here and say, "Can we start all over again please?".

Mrs Stocker meanwhile kept the couple's £1million-plus marital home in Ruislip, north-west London

The judge concluded: 'The husband argues that the division of the marital assets was unfair and disproportionate.

'This was a case in which there were no children to be taken into account, the husband contends that a 50/50 split would have been appropriate.

'But none of the matters he raises constitutes a basis for appeal which has any prospect of success.'

Mr Stocker vowed to fight on as he left court.

Mrs Stocker, who attended the hearing and sat at the back of the court throughout, said later that she didn't feel like she had come out of the marriage a winner.

'When you get divorced, you become poor... the only people who have won out of all this are the lawyers,' she said.

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Mr Stocker took the case to London's High Court, but a senior judge backed the previous decision

She added that she and her ex-husband had known each other since the early 1980s, having met at a squash club, and married in 1994.

Defending her payout, she said she had worked hard during the marriage to make the family construction company a success.

'I'm an intelligent person and I've got a masters degree from a good business school,' she added.

Of her high-flying former life whilst married to Mr Stocker, she said: 'We had a very good lifestyle. People used to say to me 'You've got everything.''

'It's very sad. We had a long relationship, but all relationships are fraught. I'm very philosophical now, but it was a very hurtful time.'

Source: the Mail

PC arrested on suspicion of murdering his wife at their home in Northampton

Police officer, 49, arrested on suspicion of murdering his wife at their home in Northampton just yards from his force's HQ

• Detective Constable Otis Goldsmith, 49, held over wife Jill's alleged murder
• Goldsmith, an officer for 28 years, married the 49-year-old in May last year
• He was taken into custody yesterday and is being questioned by police  
• Couple lived on same site as Northamptonshire Police's HQ Wootton Hall 

A police officer has been arrested on suspicion of murdering his wife at their home in Northampton - just yards away from his force's headquarter.

Detective Constable Otis Goldsmith, 49, was taken into custody yesterday afternoon on suspicion of murdering his wife Jill, also 49.

She and Goldsmith had got married in May last year and lived together at his £140,000 semi-detached property, less than a mile from Northamptonshire Police's HQ at Wootton Hall.  

Today, Goldsmith's elderly mother Sylvia and father Michael, both 81, who live in nearby Rushden, Northants, expressed their distress at their son's arrest.

Mrs Goldsmith said: 'We don't know any details about what happened but Otis has been arrested.

'He and Jill only married last year. This is a very difficult time for us all.' 

DC Goldsmith has three sons from a previous marriage, twins aged 17 and another aged 20. His wife is believed to have had a 22-year-old son from a previous marriage.

The officer's ex-wife Catherine Goldsmith, 52, the mother to his children, also confirmed he had been arrested on suspicion of murder.

When asked if she was aware her ex-husband had been arrested on suspicion of murder, Mrs Goldsmith, who lives in Northampton, said: 'Yes.'

She added: 'I've been told by the police to tell people who call me to please contact the police.' 

Officers were called to the property in Wootton Hall Park shortly after 1pm yesterday where the arrest was made.

The officer, who has served with the force for 28 years, was said to be off-duty at the time of the alleged offence.

Speaking outside the officer's house today, Superintendent Christopher Hillery said: 'I would like to offer mine and Northamptonshire Police's condolences to the family and friends of the victim of this incident.

'We were called to a private address at Wootton Hill Park just after 1pm yesterday and arrested a 49-year-old man on suspicion of murder.

'I can now confirm the man arrested is Police Constable Otis Goldsmith, an off-duty officer from Northamptonshire Police.'

He added: 'Otis Goldsmith has served with Northamptonshire Police for more than 28 years.

'What has happened has understandably shocked and upset many people in the local community, and again I would like to offer our sincere condolences to all those affected.'  

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A police officer has been arrested on suspicion of murdering his wife at their home in Northampton - just yards away from his force's headquarter. Pictured: Police standing outside the property today 

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The 49-year-old, named locally as Detective Constable Otis Goldsmith, was taken into custody yesterday afternoon at his home (pictured) and is now being questioned by detectives

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The road of about 30 semi-detached houses is on the same site as Northamptonshire Police HQ Wootton Hall. Pictured: An officer stands inside the cordon 

The road of about 30 semi-detached houses is on the same site as Northamptonshire Police HQ Wootton Hall. 

They were formerly owned by Northamptonshire Police before being sold off privately and many were bought by serving and retired officers.  

Today, the house was cordoned off, with a police officer on guard. Curtains at the downstairs window were also drawn. 

Neighbours of Det Con Goldsmith described him as 'a really good guy' who had lived on the street for at least 15 years.

In 2009, he reportedly received a medal for his service to the police.   

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Today, a black people carrier was cordoned off outside the property where Det Con Goldsmith lived

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Today, the house was cordoned off, with a police officer on guard. Curtains at the downstairs window were also drawn

Resident Gary McBain, 58, said: 'Otis is a good guy. I have been here since 1999 and they had been living here for a while then. 

'We know him quite well, as do the whole street. All the children used to play outside on the green when they were growing up. So it is a close community.

'Otis has been in the police force for at least 20 years. I am not sure who has died or what has happened exactly. 

'But Otis is a really good guy. Everyone on this street will tell you that.' 

He added: 'He has several children from several marriages. He has a few children.  

'This is a highly sensitive area. People here generally know each other. 

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This aerial images shows the proximity of the detective's house (right) compared to the police headquarters 

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Officers were called to the home at just after 1pm yesterday which is less than a mile from the force's headquarters

'These houses were sold and most of the people living in them now are either retired or serving police officers.' 

'I didn't hear anything but saw them out of the window. We are used to seeing police cars on this road so it isn't unusual but I knew it was serious when there was a cordon. 

'The incident happened at number 11 and I understand the officer arrested was Mr Goldsmith.' 

Another neighbour added: 'He is known as Otis, but I think his first name is Adrian. 

'He's been in the force a long time and is close to retirement. All I will say about him is that he is a good guy.'  

During his career with the force, Det Con Goldsmith has been vocal in his fight against street robberies.   

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The Northamptonshire Police headquarters in Wootton Hall. The investigation will not involve officers from this force

Police say the officer, who is said to be close to retirement but is stationed at the headquarters in Wootton (pictured) was off-duty at the time of the alleged offence

In June 2003 he led a campaign in Northampton urging people to keep an eye on their possessions during the summer months.

Speaking at the time, he told the BBC: 'I would like to reassure people that we have taken a number of measures such as increasing patrols in a bid to deal with this, but I would ask people to think about their own personal safety and be streetwise.

'The fear of crime is often much greater than any risk of becoming a victim, but it is a good opportunity for us to remind people of the need to be sensible and take care of themselves and their property.' 

The force said the murder investigation will not include anyone from Northamptonshire Police and will instead be led by an East Midlands Special Operations Unit, headed by Detective Superintendent Kate Meynell.

The case has already been referred to the Independent Police Complaints Commission.   

Detective Superintendent Kate Meynell, who is heading up the investigation, said: 'A full and proper investigation is taking place. Northamptonshire Police will not be making any further comment on this investigation at this stage.' 

Anyone with any information can call Northamptonshire Police on 101. 

Alternatively, they can call the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or use the anonymous online form at www.crimestoppers-uk.org.  

Source: the Mail