SHOULD there ever come a kind of hush in the career of Herman (hereafter known as Peter Noone because he prefers it), he is the one pop star who won't have to return - in his case - to a newspaper round.
    Peter, after all, is a young man who knows a thing or two about money and the best ways to make it multiply. His business ventures began when he was barely into his teens; he has since saved, speculated and insured against a bleak old age.
    Even at the moment, dollar-millionaire Mr. Noone is investigating the possibilities of purchasing a magnificent mansion in Kent, close, for social distinction, to Princess Anne's seat of learning. And costing, for investment value, a sum so huge he is shy to reveal although newspapers have - inaccurately - assessed it at £35,000. It might be more, certainly not much less, and is a setting quite fit for a king, queen or Beatle to live in.

'My attitude has changed'
    He drives a 1965 3.8 Jaguar, wants to increase his collection of cars to three, controls three music publishing and one record production companies and has premium bonds by the scores.
    It was fitting, therefore, that Peter permitted an interview on his financial stability to be conducted beneath the Midland Bank, in London's Holborn Circus, the other afternoon. Mr. Noone, to be fair, was neither counting his money, nor supervising the building of a new vault for his hoards.
    He was, in fact, in the midst of a recording session. Recording studios, after all, can be located in the most unlikely places.
    And the Midland Bank was mere coincidence. For Peter maintains that money ain't what it used to mean as far as he is concerned. "I used to be ever so anxious to make a lot for security but my attitude has changed over the past six months. Money just doesn't give me a kick anymore.
    "I used to spend a lot and still not have a good time. I got to thinking that material things don't really do you any good. I suppose I spend more on taxis than anything else these days.
    "Besides, I don't really like talking about how much I spend. It only makes my old mates think I'm flash."
    This is certainly something he isn't. There is no "side" to his nature; he has become nice and natural despite his position and ability to ponder over purchasing a £30,000-plus house.
    "I have not made an offer for it yet, but it really is the most beautiful thing I've ever seen. It's fantastic - my dream house. That's why, although I say money doesn't mean so much to me anymore, this is one possession I would like.

'Monkees have taken over'
    "It's near Tenterden in Kent. It's supposed to represent a Queen Anne-style although it was only built in about 1910. There's nine bedrooms, swimming pool and farm attached."
    Ideally, he says, he'd like to live there with a wife and four kids, have about three cars and continue his career. "I'm so pleased my records seem to be getting better and better in quality. In the past, the British public either looked on our records as about original as a tin of instant coffee or else took an anti-American attitude to the fact that we appealed to the States. Now they've changed their attitude it seems.
    "Now the Monkees have taken over in the States. Certainly this has affected us over there, but what's wrong with some good opposition? We'll just have to work that much harder."
    And make a lot more money. But it won't be silted into stocks and shares and other financial excercises. Peter really has become the ex-business man. "I've flogged off just about all the shares I used to hold. Only got about £200 invested in shares now."

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