LATE SIR G. HUNTER

Hokitika Guardian, 20 November 1930, Page 3

LATE SIR G. HUNTER

WILL CONTESTED. (By Telegraph—Fresa A&sooiation) WELLINGTON, November 19. Two executors of the will of;—-the late Sir George Hunter, . Cyril Paul Hunter and Thomas Percy Hunter, in the cupreine Court, to,-day, .asked for a decree of probate, Lady. Hunter and her seven-years-old child be-ng named as defendants. Lady Hunter -is tin. child- .executor.

Jhe defence is that the will and: the codicils propounded by. plaintiffs, were not.day executed according- to .the • provisions of Statute, that deceased at , the tine they were purported to have teen excuted was not ol sound• mind,... memory and understanding, and that at all times, from September 2(5, 1929, until the date of death, he was so imoaired physically and mentally by. illness, that lie was unable to manage Ilia affairs, or form a rational opinion or or giuate ideas, as to the extent oi ! his property, or claims of others upon J his bounty, and did not understand the nature of the dispositions of (vhe. will and the codicils, or their effect. As a epunteiclnim, Lady Hunter, claims that deceased duly executed li s last true uijl.on August 21 ,1924, and the,Court is asked to pryiibunee' tfiis will and the codicil of the samy date ip solemn form. _ . ... ; , Air A, jOray,. (fpr the, plaintiff's,, said he.. \yas,,at...-.a joss understand,. i| ,it was suggested, that there was nhy. un-la-mess • about. Sir G f , j>e(|mists. ,He said,,that, Lady Hju.nter took an active part in the discussions. Handsome provision had been, imide for relatives, and particularly the. wife and daughter. Hut lor the making of the codicils, counsel claimed, the proceedings would never have been brought. It was most -unforuntae to say the least, that deceased’s generous treatment of bis wife and child should be challenged, ail'd- any reflection.vast upon His testamentary capacity. :• Alexander Dunn,- barrister, 'Wellington. said that lie was the sole owner • 0 f the business of IMhinie ami Hunter, which bail acted as agent's- lor Sir '& Hunter, at least- Since' 1910. Sir George’s estate was sworn fit' 9175,090. Witness gave details 0t iiistr'ni-tiQns fechived from Sir George concerlung ll’is 'bequests.. Sir (jkiorge voluifteefe.fl everything and 'was., as'. Hear a'ijyever lie had. bethi. He was ill physically'nit knew what he was talking about. Although witness had no doubt about. Sir George’s testauieir’ary ability, he suggested to Lady Hunter, and she agreed, that deeeased should be mccli-

r-dly tested. The will was read to Sir George on October 12. Doctors Steele and McDonald were present. Dr Steele asked Sir George if lie knew he was signing his w 11, and if he knew the contents. Sir George said lie dal. Witness saw Sir George about twice a week, and at no. time had lie seen any, sign of mental weakness. He always, appeared s ,alerL. and. keen..when talking about his Inis'ness affairs.