DEAD WOMAN'S ESTATE.

Auckland Star, Volume LX, Issue 141, 17 June 1929, Page 9

DEAD WOMAN'S ESTATE.

PUBLIC TRUSTEE INTERVENE

AN ALLEGED DISCREPANCY

ACCOUNTS TO BE TAKES.

(By Telegraph.—Own Corrqsppndent.)

HAMILTON, this day

All application for taking of account in the estate of the late Sarah Ann Mitchell, deceased, was made* by-, -thu Public Trustee, acting in the estate, before Sir Alexander Herdinaii to-day. Defendant was the deceased's son, Theodore John Mitchell, executor under the will. Mr. P. A. Delaware (acting for the Public Trustee) said deceased w>: 94 years of age, and -for 'sonic;„>"<?;"> before her death the defendant acted ;' her agent during a period in which til)a was lion compos mentis. They had 'a common banking account. After,.. h>. mother's death he acted as executor, -but never took out probate. On September 21, 1928, the Public Trustee applied for administration, which was granted. Jle now applied for the taking. of> accounts. The residuary legatees under the .will are William Gaudy Mitchell (who is missing), George Henry Mitchell (who died in Vancouver two months after the death of Mrs. S. A. Mitchell), Theodore John Mitchell (defendant), and Martha Ellen Dunnbell (a married woman residing at New Plymouth). There are p.thiu\ beneficiaries in the estate to the extent of .€2OO, after ~> per cent of the total had been deducted for foreign missions.

Mr. C. L. McDiarmid, counsel for defendant, eaid the latter had given the Public Trustee all the information in his, possession, and had done everything to help him. It was admitted that the information was incomplete, but defendant could do nothing more. Counsel said he consented at once, on behalf of his client, to the taking of accounts, and intimated that defendant would continue to give the Public Trustee all the assistance he could.

In answer to hie Honor, Mr. Delamarc said there was no suggestion of impropriety, but there was £3100 • not accounted for.

An order was made for accounts to be taken by.the Registrar-General.