HUNTER LITIGATION

Greymouth Evening Star, 15 August 1933, Page 2

HUNTER LITIGATION

DOCTOR’S CLAIM FAILS. [PER PBESS ASSOCIATION.] WELLINGTON, August 14. Giving evidence in the case in which Dr. Steele is claiming 250 guineas as professional fees in connection with the Hunter will litigation, Alex. Dunn, solicitor, said he had gathered the impression that Dr. Steele wanted to be associated with the will case, on one side or the other. He denied having retained Dr. Steele. He also denied that when Dr. Steele first rendered an account for 250 guineas he had not questioned its accuracy, but had said that the estate did not have the money to pay. He had not told Dr. Steele that it was an exorbitant charge until the bill came up for taxation last week. Replying to his Honor. Dunn said that none of the parties in the will case had yet been paid their costs, because there was no money to pay them with.

Expressing the view that he considered the sum of £55 10/-, the amount allowed by the Court .Registrar, a fair and reasonable payment for the services rendered, the Chief Justice, Sir M. Myers, gave judgment for the defendants. His Honor held that Steele’s alleged contract to act as a kind of medical solicitor or counsel in the case had not been proved.