While the trust paid for that, which seemed rather odd, it all had to be done.

The trust pays 15 percent tax on the first $5,000 of income.

The trust paid a rate of interest to its owners.

The trust, formed two years ago, has already paid $1.1 billion to settle about 26,000 claims but ran out of cash last year.

According to court papers, as of Aug. 14 the trust had paid $515 million to settle 12,992 cases.

If all goes as planned, the trust will pay the Barnes $1.5 million within 60 days and $1.25 million more over seven years.

The more seriously ill asbestos victims, those with cancer and other diseases, would get 45 percent of what the trust had been paying.

The trust paid for half the $150,000 cost and took out a mortgage for the rest.

In 2002, the trust had $50 million in assets and paid trustees $130,000.

The trust does not pay taxes to the eThekwini municipality.