ADMINISTRATION OF AN ESTATE

Wanganui Herald, Volume XXXXVI, Issue 13526, 7 November 1911, Page 7

ADMINISTRATION OF AN ESTATE

A PUBLIC TRUSTEE’S CLAIM. Plain Talk by Judge Edwards, (Per United Press Association.) AUCKLAND, November 7. A local resident died leaving a grownnp family of five. Failing an agreement as to one of the number being appointed administrator of the estate, a stranger was selected. The Public Trustee interi ceded, and claimed to be appointed ad- % ministrator before the stranger. The jf family then agreed for the eldest dangh- » ter to be appointed to the position, but 8 the Public Trustee insisted that his right a, exceeded that of any of the children. »' Judge Edwards to-day was asked to deal jK with the applications lodged on behalf Vof the eldest daughter and the Public ■.Trustee. The Judge, after hearing counBj sel, said he would give a written decision, §n not because there was any doubt on the w point, but for the reason that the claim E of the Public Trustee to interfere in the Jr private affairs of every family concerned K in an intestate estate was of immense im- ■ portance to the public generally. He stated ■ that he was prepared to give an order 9 appointing the daughter named as ad--8 ministrator.- Adult people had a right K to manage their own affairs, and the Dc- ■ partment had no right to meddle in the I affairs of adult people.