Loans and Friendship Recalled by Woman

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 838, 5 December 1929, Page 11

Loans and Friendship Recalled by Woman

CLAIM ON ESTATE

FINANCIAL DEALINGS

A friendship developed under romantic circumstances figured in a claim by a married woman against the estate of the late George William Irvine McEwin, who died in March last, leaving property worth £2,000, heard by Mr. Justice Smith in the Supreme Court today.

The claimant was Maria Jane Roussel Cossey, of Mount Albert, who sued Sydney Broderick Jago, of Havelock North, the executor of McEwin’s estate, for £384, representing £137 as the balance of moneys loaned by her between July, 1926, and February, 1929, and £247 on a section at Beachlands, which had been transferred to deceased. The sum or 15s for a scythe, which had been loaned to McEwin and not returned, was also claimed. The defence denied all knowledge of the loans. Mr. Richmond appeared for the ■plaintiff and Mr. Reed represented the defendant. COURTED TWO SISTERS Describing the transfer of the freehold property to McEwin, in August, 1928, Mr. Richmond said that it arose from a childhood friendship between Mr. and Mrs. Cossey and McEwin. Cossey and McEwin courted two sisters in their young days, and the extremely friendly relations which existed then, continued. Counsel said that Mrs. Cossey possessed means and was well known as a music-teacher. McEwin became financially involved in 1926, and loans had been made him by Mrs. Cossey. Evidence was given by plaintiff that she had known McEwin for 26 years, he having been friendly with her sister. When witness married, her husband and McEwin were on intimate terms and went on fishing and shooting expeditions every year. While at the war McEwin wrote to them by every mail. After losing considerable money in a Waihi hotel venture in 1926, McEwin borrowed various sums from her. DAUGHTER OBJECTS

An incident in a tearooms when McEwiu asked her for a further loan was described by,, witness. Her daughter objected to the easy way witness took out her cheque book, and showed her annoyance by kicking her under the table. Later witness became tired of lending money and next time McEwin approached her she told him to apply to his brother, to which he said he would rather die first. When witness informed McEwin that the only property she had was the section at Beachlands, McEwin said he would like it to juggle with and she agreed to sell the property to him for £250, which he was to pay as soon as he received the £SOO coming to him. (Proceeding.)