LEGAL INQUIRY COLUMN.

Auckland Star, Volume LXIV, Issue 87, 13 April 1933, Page 12

LEGAL INQUIRY COLUMN.

(By A BARRISTER-AT-LAW.)

[Letters of inquiry •will be answered every week in this column. As far as possible they ■will be dealt with in the order in -which they are received, and replies ■will be inserted with the least possible delay.]

PERPLEXED. —The mortgagee may offer the property for sale and may accf.pt the highest bid. You will be liable for the deficiency between the amount realised and the total due under the mortgage. If the mortgagee wishes to buy the property himself he must sen through the Registrar of the Supreme Court and estimate the value or tne property. You may redeem the property by paying the amount of • the estimate, and if the mortgagee buys in he must give you credit oft tne mortgage for the amount of nis. estimate as the purchase price whichever is the greater. You need not "worry about your personal liability for rates. GRASS WIDOW.—The child may be adopted without the consent of his father if the father has deserted him. MRS. L.M.—Your husband should apply to the Registrar of Birtlis to have the marriage noted.

DEPOSIT. —Information is not usually disclosed by banks. If, however, you are indebted to any person or- institution the creditor may obtain information by indirect means, such as having you brought before the Court to be crossexamined as to your assets.

INCOME. —Lodge the money at a branch office in your own name as a separate account.

LIVE WIRE.— (1) You may do as you propose. (2) It is advisable to give notice, so that your neighbour may claim the branches if he wants them.

PARMER. —Write to the County Council informing it of the circumstances, and asking it to issue directions to your neighbour to clear his creek. If the county refuses you may appeal to' the Court.

DUBIOUS.—You do not appear to be cn titled to a pension.

T. B.—l cannot give you detailed advice on the law of New South Wales. It seems to me that the whole question is one of fact, namely, whether your payments are in arrears. If so, the enorfcgagee will doubtless be entitled to cxerci.se his remedies as the mora-' torium does not apply.

KARANGAPAI. —The owner of the dog Is liable for the expenses. M.J.F. — (1) If you think the debtor has, means, you should sue at once. (2) Your son-in-law should maintain the child, and you may bring proceedings to force him to do so if you wish.

SUNSHINE. —You are not liable for the levy or unemployment taxation. HEADING. — (1 and 2) You are entitled to the 20 per cent reduction. _ If you write to your landlord requiring him to credit you with the excess rent paid within the past three months he is hound to do so. (3) It is not necessary to renew.

GEM.—Your husband is not liable, and you are liable only if your means enable you to contribute. It is clear that at present you cannot afford to contribute. DESTITUTE.—You have no claim.

SCRirTUS.—It is not illegal. The danger is that your readings may tend to savour of fortune-telling.

UNSETTLED. — (1) Your mother Is not eligible for the widows' pension. (2) I would suggest that you get your member of Parliament to take up the case if you cannot succeed by your own efforts in getting relief work.