CURRAN WELL CASE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LII, Issue 15964, 8 July 1915, Page 6

CURRAN WELL CASE.

A DIVIDED FAMILY. V 1 * COWARD IN THE HOME." % By Telograph—Press Association— Copyright ' London-. July fi. In* the action arising out of the will <j*'/ Thomas Curran, disposing of an estate of. "'•• £50,000, Monsignor O'Brien, of Sydney giving evidence on commission, stated that he visited the Currans. and heard C'urran'a wife taunting her husband with pamper, ing the eldest son, Thomas. Witness told her that she was a most unnatural mother sadly lacking in wifely qualities. Testator informed Monsignor O'Rrie:) that he drank V'a bottle of whisky daily. Witness added that Curran was a coward in his home - and dumb as an oyster when his wife wa& present. " \ -'\ Sir Edmund Barton gave evidence thai - he knew testator for many years. fl.B seemed proud of Tom. ;* The latter gave evidence that bis mother" disliked him, and was always poisoning his father's mind against him. ■•£ Mr. Curran was formerly a. member of•"-.'" the British House of Common.-, and be-...: fore that lived in New South Wales. The ?. plaintiff is George Curran, who asks for probate of a will made in 1905. Defendants are the eldest and second sons, Thomas and James, who allege that their-'' father was not of sound mental opacity, v and ask the Court, to pronounce a will made, in 1902 valid. Plaintiff's counsel >' " stated that Thomas, the eldest son, who was also at one time a member of tha British House of Commons, married an actress, and incurred his father's anger. The father's health began to fail in 1906, owing to indulgence in alcohol, but he;", transacted business until certified insan» in April, 1910.