ALIENS AND PROPERTY

Hokitika Guardian, 14 July 1917, Page 2

ALIENS AND PROPERTY

5 interesting will case. WELINGTON, July 13. » Tho Full Court gave judgment tins morning on tin originating summons - in the case of t-ho Public Trustee v. Hoideman. Tho questions put i n the summons wore as follows: (1) Whether tho defendant, John Henry Heidoman, is entitled to acquire and hold for Ills own bene* ■ freehold property in .the estate of Elizabeth Jauo Rainbam, deoeasw, urvised to him under the will of tho said deceased, or (2) Whether such freehold property vests in the Crown. Tlie Court, held that tho Public Trustee held the land by virtue of tho will in trust for 'Heidoman. an alien . | enemy, hut tho Crown was entitled to claim the benefit of the trust. The Court nlso held that in disputed cases the Crown could take action in the Supreme Court, but that, if he so desired, an alien enemy was entitled to have tho question of his nationality determined by a jury. In tho present case as the defendant submitted to the decision of the Court, the latter had jurisdiction to make an order that the land wa B held in trust for the Crown. ' No costs were allowed.