A CURIOUS WILL CASE.
(SPECIAL TO "THE FBESS.")
GISBORNE, March 3.
A curious position with regard to the will of a half-caste soluier was mentioned in the Native Land Court. The soldier had made his will while on active service in April, 11)18, and died just before the Armistice. The will was in the custody of the military authorities, and had only recently come to the knowledge of the executors. The Native Land Act provides that the will of a Native (which includes a half-caste) can be proved only in the Native Land Court, and if this is not done within two years after the testator's death, the will becomes void In this case the parties allege that they did not know pf the will until the two years had already expired, and asked the Court for direction.
The Chief Judge said that on the strict reading of the law the will could not be accepted, but he pointed out that in a similar case Parliament had legislated in the direction of permitting the will to be submitted for proof The application for probate was adjourned to give the parties time for consideration.
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Bibliographic details
Press, Volume LX, Issue 18013, 4 March 1924, Page 4
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193A CURIOUS WILL CASE. Press, Volume LX, Issue 18013, 4 March 1924, Page 4
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