INTERPRETATION OF A WILL

Evening Post, Volume xc, Issue 79, 1 October 1915, Page 8

INTERPRETATION OF A WILL

Questions relating to the will of the late Edward William Knowles, of Napier, were argued before the Court of Appeal yesterday afternoon. In his will, the testator declared that the residue of the residuary trust funds should be held by the trustees in trust "for such charitable, benevolent, religiops and educational institutions, societies, associations, and objects as they in their uncontrolled discretion shall select." The question at issue was whether such a bequest was valid, and, if it was declared void, who are the persons entitled to the residue. The Bench was occupied by his Honour the Chief Justice (Sir Robert Stout), their Honours Mr. Justice Edwards, Mr. Justice Cooper, and Mr. Justice Chapman. Mr. C. P. Skerrett, K.C., with him Mr. S. A. Atkinson, appeared for the trustees ; the Solicitor-General (Mr. J. W. Salmond) for the Attorney-General ; and Sir Francis Bell, K.C., with him Mr. P. S. M'Lean, for the next-of-kin. The value of the residue in question is between £50,000 and £60,000. The hearing of argument in the case had not concluded when the Court rose yesterday, afternoon. This morning, when the hearing was resumed, it was announced that his Honour the Chief Justice (Sir Robert Stout) was temporarily laid aside by a slight illness, and the hearing was adjourned until Monday morning.