FORMER N.Z. PRIEST’S WILL

Grey River Argus, 15 March 1940, Page 8

FORMER N.Z. PRIEST’S WILL

Probate Granted RELATIVES’ SUIT FAILS (Aust. & N.Z. Cable Assn.] (Received March 15, 12.50 a.m.) SYDNEY, March 14. Legal problems arose in the Pro bate Court at Sydney to-day over the will of Rev. Father Alexander Farthing, a priest who was formerly ir New Zealand, and who died in July 1939. He left an estate valued at £9400. Rev. Father Farthing’s brother and sister contested the will, it being alleged that there was undue influ ence on behalf of the two beneficiaries. namely another sister of the deceased and a niece. The will contained a number of gifts to deceased’s relatives. It also included a legacy of £.lOOO to the Catholic Bishop of Dunedin to establish a Bursary for students for the priesthood. Evidence was given by Mrs Daphne Benbow that she believed that her uncle, Rev. Father Farthing had bred racehorses in New Zealand, naming them after his friends. She was unaware that he had bred a horse called Nedda, which won the Sires’ Produce Stakes in Victoria, valued at three thousand pounds. Mr Justice Nicholas admitted the will to probate, saying that there was no evidence whatever of the use of any undue influence, or of any conspiracy.