Single...and he could buy 150 wives! A man who can buy 150 women is still single. Reveli, 24, a Solomon island native seaman, won ? 60 a wife-meant 150 wives. Reveli promptly returned home and began eyeing the most beautiful belles on the island. He was all set to propose to a few-say 50-when the administration stepped in. They put ?5000 of his money in trust until his seaman's contract expires in 12 months' time. (This stops him marrying.). The other ?1000 was banked and he was banked and he was given a bank book so he could get used to spending money. August 11, 1954.