RIVAL CLAIMS

Hokitika Guardian, 5 December 1929, Page 1

RIVAL CLAIMS

TO DECEASED’S MAN’S HOME. (By Telegraph—Per Press Association.) HAMILTON, Dec. 4. Rival claims of his wife and of his unmarried consort to the estate of Richard Stevens, a deceased farmer, of To Kuiti, were decided by Mr Justice Herdnmn at the Supreme Court to-day. His Honour granted a declaration to the effect that Stevens’ farm is held by public trustee in trust fur Amelia Alice Harwell with whom deceased lived as husband since 1909. having two daughters by her. Stevens, while lie was in the Navy married a Malta girl in 1892. She and her son still survive. He bad not communicated with her since- 190.). The money with which the farm was bought was taken from Amelia Harwell's -Savings Bank account, -representing partly her own money, and partly the profit on a home which they bought and sold at Wanganui. The widow at Malta has already roeeimStevens’s £2OO life insurance, hut the Judge decided that Amelia Harwell is entitled to the farm property. Stevens died intestate.