THE LUNACY ACT.

Evening Post, Volume LXXVII, Issue 73, 27 March 1909, Page 9

THE LUNACY ACT.

AN INTERESTING QUESTION. An interesting position was disclosed in a report of the Public Trustee under the Lunatics Act, 1908, submitted to the Supreme Court ye&terday for directions. In 1880, one John Francis Bernadotte i Suifcted, of Wellington, was committed to the public mental Hospital, and is at present confined in the Hokitika institution as an incurable, in his 72nd year, and a bachelor The patient has no estate, but on 12th of December, 1870, he effected an insurance policy on his life with the A.M.P. Society for £500, the surrender value of which at the present time is £1106. His brother, James Sairiue' Suisted, of Westport, has paid on account of maintenance of the patient and insurance premiums, £1148 9s. On the 20th March, 1830, a number of the next-of-kin entered into a family arrangement to reimburse James Samuel Suisted in respect of the payments out of the estate of the patient on the latter 181 8 death. For private reasons Mr. d. S. Suisted is desirous of having the life policy assigned to him as a recernpanse for his past and present expenditure, and the only person capable of giving, an assignment is the Public Trustee, in whom, ss tho statutory committee of the estata of the patient, all property is vesLtrJ.. Mr. J. \V. ivl'Dcnald appeared en behait' of tho Public Trustee, and explained U.o facts to the court, and pointed oui that no loss would accrue to the Lunacy Liepartment in respect of mainiL'iiaiicc, as there wore a number of next-o{-!«n with statutory liability to contribute towards maintenance, and asked tho court's direction and sanction. The application was adjourned by his Honour for four weeks, to allow all the next-of-kin available to come in.