SIR J. WARD’S WILL

Gisborne Times, Volume LXXIII, Issue 11877, 23 February 1933, Page 4

SIR J. WARD’S WILL

S®ES’ITION TO PARLIAMENT

FAMILY PAID £70,000 IN DEATH

DUTIES

REFUND OF PORTION SOUGHT

(Press Association-'

WELLINGTON, Feb. 22

A, petition presented to Parliament to-day on behalf of Sir Cyril Ward, Baronet, Christchurch; Vincent Aubrey Ward,. Wellington, company director; Gladstone William Ward, Christchurch, salesman ; and Eileen Josephine Wood, wife of B. B. Wood, Christchurch'merchant,-seeks a refund of portion, of the death duties paid!i.u connection, with the estate of the late Sir Joseph Ward. The petitioners arid Patrick Awarna Ward, formerly of Wellington, and now a temporary resident of the United States,, are beneficiaries under their father’s will, the Public Trustee being the executor, and sole trustee. The petition states that the principal portion of the estate consisted of landed property in Auckland. Wellington, Christchurch and Invercargill. Owing to the high Government valuation of landed property, and the fact that under the provision of the Death Duties Act, it is not feasible to deduct as liability guarantees given by the testator in bis lifetime, the total death duties amounted to approximately £76,000, of which about £70,000 bad been paid.

The petition states that Sir Joseph made the following cash provisions for his children ; Cyril £I2OO annually, Mrs. Wood £IOOO annually; Vincent, Gladstone, and Patrick Ward £BOO each; Consequent on the fact that the Government valuations on the landed property were excessive, and the "guarantees mentioned were not deducted, the estate was assessed v £291,000. Difficulty had been found in finding cash, for the death duties, and as the result of other difficulties no further distributions were being made for the present out of the estate to the family. The present circumstances of the family were stated to he as follows:

Sir Cyril Ward has a iamily of six children, and heavy commitments; Mrs, Wood has two children and is entirely without means, except her share in the estate.

Gladstone Ward has Two children, is unemployed owing to the depression, and is entirely dependent on his share in the estate.

Vincent Ward'was a member oi Parliament, but, owing to a liability which he had incurred to enable his father to ho free from private business affairs of harassing nature, be was compelled To resign bis position, and devote his whole time to the affairs of the Whippet Company and a shingle company, and assisting generally the Public Trustee in the administration of the estate.

Patrick Ward, has by the liquidation of the Whippet Company lost his employment, and is entirely dependent on the share in the estate.