NORTHCLIFFE’S ESTATE

New Zealand Times, Volume LIII, Issue 12620, 3 December 1926, Page 3

NORTHCLIFFE’S ESTATE

BREACH OF TRUST ALLEGED EX-SECRETARY’S SUIT. Australian and N.Z. Cable Association. LONDON, December 1. A remarkable lawsuit is engaging the attention of the Chancery Division. _ Louise Owen, who was the late Lord Northcliffe’s confidential secretary, and is a beneficiary under his will, i's asking that the srje of newspaper properties by Sir George Sutton to Lord Rothermere on September 20th, 1922, for £1,643,000, should be declared void. She contends that the .property is really worth much more, as is sliown by the fact that Lord Rothermere sold it a year later for £5,600,000. The Inland Revenue Department is also interested in the suit, believing that the value of the death duties was under-estimated. Seventeen King’s Counsellers are engaged in the case, whibh is additionally interesting as the - plaintiff suggests a breach of trust on the part of Sir George Sutton and Lord Rotnermere, who both have a fiduciary relation in the estate. CONSERVATIVES WOULD HAVE ! PAID MORE (Received December 2, 9.5 p.m.) Thomas' Marlowe, late editor of the “Daily Mail,” and at present’ chairman of directors, gave evidence that he sought to purchase controlling shares on behalf of Sir Malcolm Fraser, formerly chief agent of the Conservative Party, but he did not pursue the matter after learning that Sutton had accepted Rothermere's offer. He might have offered £o,(XAJ,600 or £6,000,000 if he had kjioWli the price. Sutton would consider. The hearing was .adjourned.