HUNTER WILL DISPUTE.

Auckland Star, Volume LXII, Issue 39, 16 February 1931, Page 10

HUNTER WILL DISPUTE.

OPPOSITION TO PROBATE.

MORE MEIUCAE EVIDENCE

SIGNATURE AFTER ILLNESS

(By Telegraph.—Pres.« Association.)

WELLINGTON, Saturday.

The Hunter will case, ■which was adjourned on December 19 after almost eight full days had been devoted to it in the Supreme Court, was to-day resumed before Mr. Justice Reed. Lady Hunter, widow of the late Sir George Hunter, and one of the three executors of his will, is opposing probate on the ground that the will and codicils were not duly executed according to statute, and that at the times the will and codicils are purported to have been executed Sir George was not of sound mind, memory or understanding. The other two executors are asking for probate. Dr. Giescn said he had given a certificate to the effect that although Sir George was not capable of transacting business, he could understand he was signing his will. Asked "At that time did you know Sir George had made a new will since his illness?" witness said he knew nothing about that will until Lady Hunter told him after Sir George died. Had lie been asked to give a certificate as to testamentary capacity ho would not have given it, nor would he have been present at the signing of a new will, or had anything to do with it. He would never have believed the man knew what lie was signing. At a later stage his Honor asked witness why he thought the will had been prepared for signature before Sir George Hunter's illness. Witness replied that it was so obvious to him that Sir George could not have originated a will after his apoplexy that it did not enter witness' head that the will had been prepared afterwards.