ERRING WIFE

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXIV, 10 April 1930, Page 6

ERRING WIFE

CIIT OUT OF HUSBAND’S WILL

APPLICATION FOR CONSIDER ATION REFUSED

(By Telegraph—Press Association)

HAMILTON, This Day

“If I were to grant this it would be an inducement for wives to leave their husbands and li'" 1 with paramours, and then seek provision under the will of their husbands who committed suicide by reason of their wives’ misconduct ” In these words Mr Justice Smith refused the application by Beatrice Mary Jane Slater, who resides at Hamilton' for consideration under the will of her late husband Arthur Samuel Slater. On l-'jth Juno Slater committed suicide at fepopo, Taranaki. He and his wife had been married for 20 years and reared eight children. In November, 10.28 has wife left him, and subsequently admitted adultery /with one Mackou, at Franklon, where she stayed. She still lives with Macken. Her husband -had tried to get her to return, and had left Taranaki and bought a farm sat MorrinsviUe. He then saw a letter written by his wife to her daughter, in which the writer said that she would find it difficult to return. In his will, made in April, the husband completely disinherited his wife, leaving an estate valued at over £2OOO to his eight children. Mr du la Mere, for the Public Trustee, who opposed the application, said that a series of letters written by the wife to Macken prior to the discovery of adultery at Frankton, showed that there had been continuous misconduct, which in fact continued to this day.

In refusing the application his Honour told the woman that she should apply to her paramour for assistance. Her conduct clearly was a bar to varying the will.