COSTLY LAWSUIT

Wairarapa Times-Age, 8 May 1940, Page 3

COSTLY LAWSUIT

longest in dominion

CLAIM FOR £520,000

(By Telegraph—Press Association.)

GISBORNE, May 7.

Believed to have been the longest and most costly lawsuit hoard in New Zealand, an action which lias occupied ihe attention of Mi'. Justice Callan in the Supreme Court since the beginning; of March was concluded late this after,' noon.

I he case was one in Which F. T. Hall and others, beneficiaries in the estate of the late Fred Hall claimed £520.000 damages from the Guardian Trust and Executors Company. Limited, and Frank Wrey Nolan, the Bank of New Zealand, Limited, and the Union Bank of Australia. Limited.

Plaintiffs alleged fraud and conspiracy and wrongful acts on the part of defendants in the administration of the estate of the late'Fred Hail, which at one time had a book value of hundreds of thousands of pounds, but later was said to be insolvent.

The hearing of the case occupied 37 sitting days and records of evidence and flics of correspondence and documents were equivalent to 22 full-length novels. At the conclusion of the final addresses the judge reserved his decision.