DUTY TO WIDOW.

Auckland Star, Volume LX, Issue 104, 4 May 1929, Page 22

DUTY TO WIDOW.

LARGER ANNUITY GRANTED

DECISION IN SUPREME COURT,

Considering that a moral duty had been unfulfilled, Mr. Justice Blair made a substantial alteration yesterday afternoon in the Supreme Court to the will of Allan Skene, whose death occurred in January last. Annie Skene, the applicant (Mr. Richmond), claimed from the Public Trustee (Mr. A. H. Johnstone) an increased allowance under the will. The estate was valued at £9386, and the liabilities were £540. Contending that the allowance of £IS2 made to Mrs. Skene, the widow, was unjust, Mr. Richmond submitted that the applicant had been left practically penniless, and he asked for an increase in the annuity to £300. Further, he applied for a grant of £2,50 for Mrs. Skene's immediate wants. An admission that there was much in favour of Mr. Richmond's claims was made by Mr. Johnston, representative of the other beneficiaries, as well as the Public Trustee. He addad that a sufficient sum should be allowed to Mre. Skene. 111 giving judgment his Honor said the deceased did not appear to have fulfilled his moral obligation to the widow. Her application was quite within reason, and an order wa 3 made for an increase in the annuity to £300, payable from the date of death, and for the grant of a lump sum of £250. J