INTERESTING WILL CASE

King Country Chronicle, Volume XXVII, Issue 4402, 8 June 1933, Page 5

INTERESTING WILL CASE

BEFORE JUDGE McCORMICK. MAORI ESTATE INVOLVED. An interesting will case is bei'ng contested in the Native Land Court to-day in connection with an application for probate of the will of Margaret Grace, which is being heard before Judge McCormick.

The deceased was the widow of the late William Henry Grace, a wellknown 'native interpreter, native agent and representative of the Government in the early days after the Maori War, and she was also a direct descendant of the famous chief, Rewi Maniapoto. The deceased had left a fairly considerable amount of wealth. Mr. Mackersey appeared for the Native Trustee, who was a co-trustee under the second will, Mr. Phillips for various beneficiaries under that will, and Mr. A. Mossman (for some grandchildren) opposing the will. There were 16 grandchildren and six orphan great-grandchildren. The grounds for opposition were lack of testamentary capacity and undue influence.

Evidence was given that in July, 1930, an order under the Aged and Infirm Persons Act was made against the deceased, which, it was construed by one of the parties interested, prohibited her from making a will. Evidence was given of the drawing up of the second will when medical doctors and G. Elliott and H. Taituha were present. Certificates had been given by the doctors that deceased was capable of doing this. (The case is proceeding).