HUNTER TRUSTEES

Dominion, Volume 31, Issue 166, 9 April 1938, Page 8

HUNTER TRUSTEES

Appeal From Supreme Court MANAGEMENT OF ESTATE Management of the estate of the late Sir George Hunter became the subject of legal argument again yesterday when the Court of Appeal began to hear an appeal from the judgment of Mr. Justice Smith which changed the trustees of the estate. As a result of a hearing in the Supreme Court, which lasted from June 17 to August 3, and in which a great deal of argument and evidence were put forward on the management of the farm at Porangahau that is the chief asset of the estate, Mr. Justice Smith directed the removal of Cyril Paul Hunter, Akitio, and Thomas Percy Hunter, Porangahau, from the positions of trustees and the former from the office of executor of Sir George Hunter’s will. The New Zealand Insurance Company, Ltd., was appointed trustee and executor. Plaintiff in that case was Sir George Hunter’s widow.

The Chief Justice (Sir Michael Myers), Mr. Justice Blair, Mr. Justice Kennedy, Mr. Justice Callan, and Mr. Justice Northcroft were on /the bench yesterday.

Appellants, Cyril Paul Hunter and Thomas Percy Hunter, were represented by Mr. C. H. Westce, K.C., who had with him Mr. D. R. Hoggard, and respondent, Edith May Hunter, was represented by Mr. J. D. Willis, who had with him Mr. R. L. A. Cresswell.

The beginning of the hearing, which had been fixed for Monday, was deferred by another case occupying the court an unexpectedly long time. The hearing began at 3.50 pan. yesterday and was adjourned at 4.30 until Monday. The Chief Justice announced that three days would be available next week and four days after Easter. Since the hearing is estimated to occupy 10 days, it is unlikely to conclude at this sitting of the Court of Appeal. Mr. Weston, in opening, reviewed the history of the trusteeship until recently held by the Hunter brothers. He said the estate at the time of Sir George Hunters’ death contained as assets the Porangahau farm of 7891 acres and the stock on it, the Old Customhouse Street building, Wellington, built in IS4O and leased to Bethune and Hunter and others, the residence in Dixon Street, which was subject to. two mortgages amounting to £11,050, mortgages valued at £10,729, shares and debentures valued at £4263, and a credit balance with Bethune and Hunter of £4339. Liabilities were: Death duties of £29,573, the mortgages of £11,050, debts’to creditors .(£5000), guarantees (£3500), legacies (£O6OO a year), and -annuities (£6OO a year).