DISPUTED WILL

Gisborne Times, Volume LXXII, Issue 11493, 21 November 1931, Page 4

DISPUTED WILL

UNHAPPY WESTLAKE FAMILY (Press Association..- . 'WELLINGTON. Nov. 20. When the Westlake, will case was continued to-day, Mrs. J. E. MacDonald, of Masterton, a sister- of Mrs. Westlake, said Westlake used to thrash the children when young and also locked his wife in a room, •and sometimes did not give her sufficient food. Finally, at her sister’s request, witness took the children to her own home. Occasionally witness went to see her sister at Pahiatua. Westlake behaved in a peculiar way. and did not speak to the children. George Burns, a farmer, of Mokornoko, said he Lad been very friendly with Westlake. Twice Westlake said he would shoot liis daughter Grace. and he always became upset at,„ that sight or mention of her. ' Paul Stenberg, a retired fanner, said that on one occasion Westlake told him he could make nothing' of Lis son. In opinion the religion of the wife’s family was behind the whole thing. Westlake himself, witness said, was a desolated infidel, and had no fear of God at all. Ho had offered a young man in the Pahiatua district £3OOO to put a bullet through Grace. ■Evidence of transactions he had carried out for Westlake in the matter of preparing ,a Jwill.-towards tho end of 1914. or early in 1913; and in reference to proceedings taken, against Westlake by his wife, was given by George Harold Smith, solicitor, of Pahiatua. In explanation of his attitude to his wife, Westlake told him she was a woman wLo had no use for a man, and if he left her mote than necessary the children would get it, and he; did not wane that. Dr .Hugh Paterson .of Pahiatrgi, who witnessed the codicil, gave evidence of the impression he gained in 1914, when he first visited the Westlake home. He thought the family wa s terrified of Westlake and than the nervous condition of the elder daughter had been brought about- bv fear of him. "Westlake seemed to have developed an unreasoning hatred of his wife and children."" Witness later formed the opinion that Westlake was suffering from delusions and that lie thought his familv were his enemies. Since the death of We st lake, Mrs. Wjostlake had much improved in health and Gertrude had also improved. A man might suffer from paranoia and you be capable of carrying on business. Dr. H. T. Dawson, of Pahiatua, said that he knew Westlake; and used to get- on all right with liun. Money was his trouble all the tune- \\ itness had come to the conclusion that Westlake wap not- mentally normal. . “I don't consider he was capable of making a just will,’’ said witness. The court adjourned until Monday.