AN EXTRAORDINARY WILL CASE.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume VII, Issue 2244, 4 October 1889, Page 2

AN EXTRAORDINARY WILL CASE.

(PER PBBBS ASSOCIATION.; Napire, Ootober 3. A will CRie of groat local interest was comm -nc d m tho Supreme Ooort yeßterdny, und wan expeoted to last v week, but unexpectedly oo'lapßed to- fay. A retired blacksrai h named ■•letober reoently died, l«avir-g about £5000 or £6000 worth of property. In 1880 he made a will m favor oc hiß daughter, but after hla doath Parker, a local blackimith, produced a will leaving everything to him. Fletcher was a gr.'at friend of Parker, und had ! given "nim material fiaancial at siitanoo. Last year, according to Parker's evidenae, the old man tod him to make ont tho will, Blating ihat he wished it kept m seorot Parker employer! a man named Flanaghsn todrawit np using hie (Parker's) own will for a model. It waa signed by Fiotoher In Parkoc'a offioe, and witness 4 by Fianagban and ooe of Parker's workmen. Before the evldenoe on behalf of Parker had concluded, hia counsel, Messrs Carlisle and McLean, Intimated ihalr dealrefora conference with Meain Oorrford and Dlok, who appeared for the ixeoutorfi under the firat will. When they teturned Into Ooart It was annoanoed that Parker'a coanael had advlaed him that the evidence waa not strong enough to prove a wIU made under snoh olroamatsnoea. Aocnrdtngly probate win granted to the firat will with coats on tha highest scale. It transpired la evidence that for several yo»ra past Fletcher bad given Parker bills for large amounts. Taoae were met at maturity, or If not, were paid out of the pr< oeeds of other bills dlaoonnted, and at Fletcher's dnath tha amount oorront was nearly £sfoo, or almost the tot»l veloe of the estate. The bills were not pat Into the bank, but wore discounted all round the towa. About hilf the £6000 Is reprenentefJ by ddoount »nd reDewal Intorast. It is probable that further aotlons will arise out of thoie transaction*