SOMETHING WRONG WITH THE LAW.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume L, Issue 59, 1 May 1907, Page 2

SOMETHING WRONG WITH THE LAW.

Per Press Association. Auckland, April 30. Judgment was given by Mr. Justice Cooper this afternoon in an interesting will case. The deceased, John Colel, who prepared his own will, bequeathed £250 each to his brother and sister, und, the rest of the property to his wife and children. There were no children of the marriage, but deceased was the father of three illegitimate children, all of whom were born before his marriage. His widow was not the mother of any of these children, but two of them continued to reside with him and his wife after their marriage. It had been held by the Commissioner that the three childrrti were the children intended to be benefitted under the will, that they shared equally with the widow in the residue of the estate, and he assessed duty accordingly. This assessment was appealed against. Ills Honor held that there was nothing in the will or the circumstances which was inconsistent with the intention of testator to benefit the children of' the marriage if any were brrn after the date of the will. The appeal was allowed, with £7 7s coats, and it was ordered that the final balance of the estate be assessed on the understanding that the illegitimate children did not benefit, under the will.