WOMAN’S CLAIM

Hokitika Guardian, 13 December 1929, Page 3

WOMAN’S CLAIM

ON estate of man. ! Uy Telegraph, Per Press Association. 1 CHRISTCHURCH, December 12. The claim of a woman who had lived for thirty-seven years with a man as his wife, though not legally married to him, upon that man’s estate, he having died intestate, was tested in the Supreme Court to-day, before Mr Justice Adams. The claimant was Sarah Roy don Nelson, and the defendant was the Public Trustee as administrator of the estate of the late Charles Nelson. The claimant alleged, and her statements were supported by other witnesses, that while they lived together, Nelson paid various sums into the Post Office Savings. Rank, these being his own and her savings. Nelson was killed in an accident on November 24th, 1926, on which date the deposits totalled £615 17s lOd. The Trustee had paid half this slim to relatives of Nelson in Sweden. Claimant sought to recover the other half, on the plea that the moneys deposited by Nelson were half on her aecohnt. During her life with Nelson she'had worked hard in various situations. On the other hand, there was evidence that she had saved £483 of her own, independent of the joint account. His Honour, in giving judgment, said he had grave doubts as to whether a trust had been established. He gave judgement for the defendant.