A MAORI WILL.

Auckland Star, Volume LIII, Issue 295, 13 December 1922, Page 8

A MAORI WILL.

DISPUTED IN THE NATIVE LAND COURT. An interesting case concerning the will of a native named Hori Kingi Te Pua, of Makarau. near Helensville, was to have come before the Tokerau Native Land Court this morning, but owing to one of the witnesses to the ' will' being unable to attend it had to be adjourned to January 25. It-appears that Te Pua made his will on April 22 last, and left the whole of his property to a young half caste woman named Kuril Jowitt, an outsider. Mr. Coates on her behalf this morning applied for probate, and stated that one of the witnesses to the will was a school teacher, who was unable to attend. She had, however, put in a sworn statement. Mr. Blomfield opposed the application on behalf of the next of kin, alleging that there had been undue influence and want of testimentary capacity on the part of Te Pua at' the time lie made his will, which was in English and not in Maori. It was material to the case that the school teacher, who witnessed the will, should be present to give evidence arid he was not disposed to disclose his evidence until that witness appeared. Judge Holland, who presided, therefore adjourned the case till the date mentioned.