WILL CASE.

Press, Volume LXVI, Issue 20092, 22 November 1930, Page 15

WILL CASE.

PROBATE OPPOSED. SIR GEORGE HUNTER'S ESTATE. (7HESB ASSOCIATION TELEGIAM.) WELLINGTON, November 21. The hearing of the case in which Lady Hunter is challenging the will and codicils of the late Sir George Hunter, was continued in the Supreme Court today. Reginald Blaekiston, solicitor, Dannevirke, who 3iad known Sir George Hunter for thirty-nine years, referred to a visit ho paid to Sir George on January 13 th last. They talked about sheep, wool prices, politics, and Sir Joseph Ward's "millions." Sir George seemed to have a grip of everything and to be the same as he had always known him. He saw no change in his mental outlook, although physically he looked weary. If Sir George had given him instructions for his will witness would have taken them. To Mr Watson: From his goneral conversation ho did not think there w».s any difference from when he knew him ten years ago. He thought he' was quite capable of giving any business instructions. Robert Gooseman, a horse trainer, said he visited Sir George on March 26th and noticed nothing different about him. Mr Justice Reed asked witness which will was most favourable to liim. Mr A. Gray, K. 0., said that witness's interest was the rrme under ali three wills that had been made. Witness said he knew , from a letter he had received that ho- was included In the will.

John Davis Ormond, of Wallingford, said he had known Sir George all hi* life. He saw him in. February last, and thought his mind was as fresh, as ever.

James Scott and Samuel Marshall, j station hands employed by Sir George Hunter, also gave evidence. Archibald McNicol, managing editor of the "Dannevirke News," said that Sir George was chairman of. directors of the company. Witness had lenown him for twenty years. He last, saw him in November last on business. A thing that struck witness . was the quiet, rational way . in .which" Sir _ George Hunter discussed his own business. In talking about the paper, politics, and other matters he was just the same as always. Witness did not think that any responsible man would have disparaged Sir George's mentality. Mentally Alert. Robert Alexander Wright, M.P., said he had known. Sir. George Hunter intimately since 1914, and had to see him after the House rose, possibly two weeks after. The discussion had mainly been on politics, and Sir George had taken an intelligent part in the conversation. Witness had remarked that Sir George had looked very well. Mentally he appeared to be quite normal. Counsel: You and Sir George had no difficulty in agreeing on the work of the past session? —None. rVou probably condemned it, beli, book, and candle? —Well, we did th-» particular Act (tlic Taxation Act). ' William Hughes "Field, M.P., said he hsd known Sir George Hunter well, and had gone to see him just after Christmas, 1929. From conversations he had I hud with Sir George, witness would have judged him to be capable of transacting '' business. j Counsel: -Would- lie Jiave been able to ! understand an intricate document?— j I don't think he would have understood l a complicated Socunrent. JSut he could understand simple documents and transactions? —Yes. I . When this evidence. had been coa» ■ eluded, his Honour" sa'id he did not think it was necessary , that . Sir. Georga Hunter should have understood the legal phraseology of the will, bat only what the trusts were. Evidence regarding conversations thoy .•had had with ,-Sir George, after his. illness was given "by Edward' Gilbertson, retired engineer of the Patangata. County Council. . and the Rev. Mr Brierlv. of Napier, formerly vicar of St. Andrew's Church at Porangahau. Both witnesses said they had noticed no signs of mental deterioration. Percv Frederick Wall, sheep-farmer, Hawke's Bay, said he had known Sir George for 30 years, and, in company with others had -visited him in February last in connexion with proposed land transactions. Sir George had been quite able to carry out business transactio'nsj and witness "had nefver noticed any signs of 'ineatal- deterioration. W. G. Hunter, "sheep-farmer, Dannevirke. a'cousin of Sir George Hunter, also said thai he had' seen Sif- Georga on July. 31st, when, so far as he could see, Sir George had. quit© all ri£ht~ . An Executor's Evidence.

Cyril •■-'Paul--.-Hunter, one. of the executors of the will, detailed, conversations lie had had with Sir George oil October 20th last year, and November sth. 9tli, and 10th. He had nentioned a short holiday trip he proposed taking, and Sir George had professed himself much interested. Sir George had appeared to be reasonably well. Witness described the slurring of speech referred to Vvv other . wit- '' nesses as something th.it would.,. O® likely to result from the wearing of ;i -new set of false teetlv. Witness was cross-examined at length concerning a bequest of £SOOO, which he said had been promised him by Sir George as a wedding gift thirteen years ago. He was in the box two and a quarter hours. He said he had hesitated to speak about the promise until he realised the possibility of Sir George dying, then Ee thought it advisable to ask Sir George's solicitor, Mr Dunn, to take a favourable opportunity to remind Sir George of the promise. Hib Honour said he could understand a man of decency not desiring to approach Sir George directly on a subject of this nature. Witness admitted that Lady Hunter 8 whole , attitude had been to-preserve the estate for her daughter. Referring to Sir George's mental capacity, he said he thought he was perfectly capable of making a will. Before tho Court adjourned in the afternoon, Mr Watson asked leave to have the evidence of Dt. Dnncas, who attended Sir George at Rotorua, taken at that town. His Honour intimated that hewould adjourn the proceedings until December 15th, and Mr Watson undertook to see that Dr. Duncan's evidence was available on that date.