Sir George Hunter’s Will

Manawatu Times, Volume LV, Issue 7412, 20 December 1930, Page 7

Sir George Hunter’s Will

ROTORUA DOCTOR’S EVIDENCE

Per Prcs3 Association

WELLINGTON, Dec. 19,

Continuing his address for the defence in the Hunter will case to-day, Mr Watson said that another reason for Lady Hunter’s objection to the. November will was that there was no provision for a homo for her child until she was 21. The evidence for tlm defence would show that Sir George Hunter was not only inordinately fond of the child, but also that ho repeatedly stated a desire that she should carry on the Hunter namo in the Hunter home, and bo brought up in close contact with country life. When Lady Hunter heard of Sir George Hunter’s desire to make a will in October, 11129, she expostulated wdth him and even communicated with the solicitors to see if something could be done. After the will was made she urged him to make another to undo what sho believed to be wrong. Lady Hunter’s attitude was to benefit tho child, even at her own expense. She would not deny that she influenced and dominated Sir George in making tho second will in order to undo the harm done the child earlier.

Evidence would he given that after the wills had been signed Sir George was mentally and physically exhausted; also that he had no testamentary capacity from tho time of tho apoplectic seizure until possibly sometime after returning from Rotorua.

Mr Watson then read the evidence of Dr. J. D. C. Duncan, who attended Sir George Hunter at Rotorua and taken before a Magistrate there. Dr. Duncan said that the apoplectic scizuro was a severe one, which had causou considerable mental impairment, and he was of tho opinion that Sir George Hunter did not have testamentary capacity.

Margaret Ellen Tansoy, a trainee nurse, suid that Sir George Hunter hau difficulty in articulating his words at the start of his illness and did not improve mentally to any extent until after his return from Rotorua. It was difficult to induce him to take an interest in anything, and visitors tired him. The .attendants had to bo peremptory with him in giving instructions. They had to speak firmly, as he appeared mentally dull. Sir George Hunter confessed to witness that ho got very tired of conversation after about ten minutes and did not take any interest. When witness referred to Sir George Hunter’s visits to Parliament shortly before his death ho said that he knew tho members sitting next to him quite well, but be could not remember their names.