A DISPUTED WILL.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LVI, Issue 17294, 18 October 1919, Page 9

A DISPUTED WILL.

WIDOW'S APPLICATION UPHELD. An application affecting a bequest to the King's Empire Veterans came before Mr. Justice Stringer, at the Supreme Court yesterday, when Rebecca Barker (Mr. Towle) asked that the estate of her deceased husband, amounting to £107, be i given to her. Dr. Fitchett, on behalf of I the Public Trustee, said that the latter j would submit to any order of the Court, I but on behalf of the Empire Veterans I Association he stated that the testator and his wife had lived apart for about 20 years prior to the former's death. The estate, valued at £107, with the exception of £5 left to a daughter. Lad been bequeathed to the Veterans' Association, and counsel contended that this bequest should stand, as it was a gift to charity. After hearing argument, Hie Honor said he was satisfied that the widow had a paramount claim to the estate. He also thought that if the members of the association were consulted they would agree that the estate could not be more properlyused than in supporting the widow of their deceased comrade. He ordered that the whole of the estate, with the e3r°*ition of the bequest of £5 to the daughter, be applied by the Public Trustee for the maintenance and support of the widow. Costs of the proceedings were ordered to be paid out of the estate.