HUNTER ESTATE

Hawke's Bay Herald-Tribune, Issue 152, 15 July 1937, Page 8

HUNTER ESTATE

— fress Association. )

Hearing of Evidence to Conclude To-day ADDRESSES 0N M0NDAY

(By Telegraph

WELLINGTON, This Day. Evidence on behalf of Cyril Paul Hunter and Thomas Perey Hunter, defendants in the Supreme Court action removal from the trusteeship of the 1 in which Lady Hunter is seelcing their cstate of her late hnsband, will conclude to-day. To-morrow will be devoted by counsel to the' preparation of their final 1 addresses, which will begiu on Monday morning. Mr Justice Smith is presiding. Mr J. D. Willis and Mr R. B. Scott are appearing for plaintiff,. and !Mr 0. H. Weston, K.O., and Mr J. H. Dunn for defendants. Rcsuming his evidence, Thomas Percy Hunter dealt in detail with farming policy and operations on the station. Mr Willis: Do you share youi brother's refusal to retire from the trust under any circunistances? Witness: "Yes." And for the same reasons as he j gives? — "Yes, with perhaps an addi- ' tional reason. I have been closely as- j sociated with the farming of this land. I am very interested in its devclopiueut, and 1 tliink I am better able to do it than any trust company." When do you say you made your promise to Sir George Hunter that you would act as his trustee? After his ! stroke? — "Yes." Your father died in 1926?— "Yes." Under Sir George 's will, the only one that has been allowed, executed in 1926, your brother Cyril and your father were appointed executors and trustees? — "That is so." And in the intervening tliree or four years before Sir George died he made no approach to ask you to replacc your father? — "No, he did- not replace my father with anybody." Do you characterise Lady Hunter as an exper t f armer ? — ' ' No. " Not even as a good farmer, presumaby? — "I don't tliink she has ever done any farming, ' ' If she is not a good farmer and has uever done any farming, what would be the use of obtaining her sanction to any course of action you proposed to adopt on the 1'arm? — "Well, it was a matter of policy." Frederick Albert Brock, Napier, operator of a dag-erushing plant, said it was doubtful wliether it would pay him to take dags from Porangahau even if they were given to him. He certainly would not buy -them. For the last four years dags had no value. William Hollis Leighton, land agent and valuer, said that in his opinion the Dixon Street property had a renta! value of £7 10/- a week. A present lental of £7, rising to £8 for the next two years, would be a reasonable rent. Alexander Dunn, .barrister and solicitor, said that under the late Mr Paul Hunter 's will he was appointed a trustee with Cyril and Percy Hunter. Percy Hunter deelined to act. Witness gave evidence relating to the financial state of the late Sir George Hunter 's eatate. The court adjourned until 10.30 this morning.