DEED OF GIFT

Hokitika Guardian, 13 December 1933, Page 6

DEED OF GIFT

DISPUTE OVER ESTATE

.(Per Press Association, Copyright)

.CHRISTCHURCH, December 13

Did the late Sir George Cliff ol ” o *, at any time before his .death, make a gift of the whole of his interest in the historic Elaxbourne estate to his s°n, the present baronet Sir Ch a rles Clifford? This was the main question before Judge Ostler to-day ,■ when the trustees and executors of the will contended that the action of the Commissioner of Stamp Duties in including in the assessment of the estate of £570,647, the principal and interest owing under the mortgages on this gift to Sir Charles, was wrong. Respondents contended that no such gift had been made by Sir George, and if ft were made, it was not completed and in any case, the assessment ■was correct.

The question for the opinion of the court was whether the sums were rightly included -in the amount upon which death , duty was assessed in respect of ■the estate. In outlining the history of the case counsel harked back- nearly 60 years ago when the late Sir Francis Weld, and the late Sir Charles Clifford, grandfather of the present baronet, set up as partners in the Flaxbout'ne Estate of 50,000 acres. Sir George Clifford died on April 17, 1930, leaving an estate, the final balance of which had been provisionally assessed at £570,647. Included in such assessment was his interest in .certain land in Marlborough, known as the Flaxbounm Estate. Appellants alleged that, some time in 1920. ’Sir George made a gift of his .interest in the whole of this estate t° Sir Charles, and such a gift was completed. Decision was reserved.