LOCAL AND GENERAL

Evening Star, Issue 20720, 17 February 1931, Page 3

LOCAL AND GENERAL

By a ‘ Gazette ’ Extraordinary issued last evening (says a Press Association telegram from Wellington) Parliament has been, summoned for tho transaction of business on Wednesday, Alarch 11, at 2.30 p.m. A. sum of £l3, collected from tho children.and staff of the Shirley School (Christchurch) for tho earthquake relief fund, was stolen from the school during the week-end (states a Press Association message). Tho money was lacked in a cupboard in the head master’s office. Yesterday morning it was discovered that the cupboard door had been forced and tho money stolen. At the monthly meeting of tho Rural Intermediate Credit Board the commissioner reported to the board that the registration of the Huntly Co-operative Rural Intermediate Credit Association had been gazetted and a statutory meeting held. Tbe association is now in a position to transact lending business. Tho amount of the loans granted during tho month was slightly less than for tho preceding month, but this was usually the case during this period of the year. Tho number of applications received has, however, been very satisfactory. Tho board considered the return of arrears of interest and instalments in regard to loans granted by the board, and the opinion was expressed that, considering the conditions which are now ruling in the farming community, the position is most satisfactory. • Borrowers have met their obligations very well, and none of tho board’s securities is causing anxiety at tho present time. Owing to the. drop in prices being received for primary, products and the consequent fall in tho value of live stock, a number of cooperative rural intermediate credit as-, sociations had been reviewing the position of all loans granted by them in order that tho finances of the associations and the board may be adequately protected, while at the same time borrowers may -be afforded any assistance possible. Tlio hearing was continued in the Supremo Court, Wellington, of the ease in which the granting of tlfo probate of tho will of Sir George Hunter is opposed by Lady Hunter’. Dr Gieson said it was quite consistent with Sir Georgels mental condition that he would bo able to discuss land deals and other business matters that had been part of his usual life before his illness, but ho would bo quite incapable of initiating business ideas or doin" business involving complex sets of facts.” ”’’Replying to Air Gray, witness said lie had given evidence, m a number of compensation and accident - nscs, and would not disagree with the suggestion that ho had always been dogmatic. Nothing in the evidence .vouhl convince him that Sir George had testamentary capacity. Witness did not think Sir George would realise the importance or ■flio significance of any alteration suggested in the will. “ Aly object in going to see Sir George,” said tho witness. “ was to protect him if there was any fear of him having an other stroke. I was told to see him and find out the earliest day on wlidi lie could sign tho will, and i said then that I thought that the time had already come.” Witness said that he had been merely concerned in testifying that Sir George had been capable of performing' tbo physical act of signing the will. Answering further questions, witness said that Sir George had been prone to suggestion after his stroke. In reply to His Honour, witness said ho thought it likely that a gift of 300 acres m favour of his daughter might have been tho result of a suggestion. It was equally likely that the. codicil he made revoking -thrtt clause in tho wiJI h*Ki also been-tho result of a suggestion, The court adjourned at 5.30 p.m. with Dr Gieson still in the box. Tho monthly social meeting of the Otago Pipers’ Club, “ ladies’ night, held in the Y.AI.G.A. hall on Saturday, 14th, proved a very successful function. In tho absence of the president (Air A. Alack ay) Air .1 ohn Yardley presided over a fair attendance of members. A lengthy programme of pipe music, songs,‘and national dancing was greatly appreciated by all present, and light refreshments were banded round during tho interval. The performers for tho evening wore Aliss Summerville, Mrs Marshall, Alisses Iris Gordon, Jean Freeman, Wilmer Thompson, Peggy Steele, Nora Steele, Messrs A. Stait, George Yardley, K. Cameron, A. Snell, John Yardley, and Alaster Jim Flett, Air N. Banchop officiating-at the piano. The meeting closed with a vote, of thanks to the performers and tho singing of ‘ Anld Lang Syne.’