LAW QUERIES.

Otago Witness, Issue 3958, 21 January 1930, Page 46

LAW QUERIES.

[Answered by a solicitor of the Supreme Court of New Zealand. Letters and Telegrams must be addressed to “LEX.” co Editor, Otago Witness, Dunedin.j

Cecil.” Gore: F. S.. Riverton: M. H.. Allanton: “Flat.” Lawrence.—Received too late for replies this week.

Worried."—(l) If there was clear proof on the matter, this would in itself constitute a ground for divorce proceedings. (2) and (3) There is no hold over the man.

Novice” asks: “A ploughman, paid by the week, gives his employer a month's notice to leave. Later on the employer gives the ploughman a week's notice. Is the employer liable for wages for the whole month?”- No.

Anxious” asks: “If a wife with a husband and family dies without leaving a will, how will the property, consisting of house, furniture, ami cash, be distributed? " One third to husband and two-thirds to family.

Interested” asks: “ (1) Insurance policies in my name were transferred to my father. He dies when I was at the war, leaving his wife sole executrix of his estate. In her intestate estate does the surrender value of such policies have to appear? (2) What steps have to be taken for transference to owner? ” til Yes. (2) The insurance policies belong to your mother's estate, and will require to be dealt with as part of her estate.

Pivo.”—lf the applicant for an old age pension is permanently residing in a house owned by him, the house is not included in the property of the applicant for pension purposes. There is also deducted the sum of £5O from the value of the applicant's property. The amount of the pension is diminished by (a) £1 for every complete pound of income in excess of £52. and also by (b) £1 for every complete £lO of the net capital value of all accumulated property of the pensioner.

Gypsum ” asks: “ I am a writer of childrens plays that have been favourably commented upon by the press and others. I wish to publish some of the plays. (1) How shall I go about it? (2) Who takes out a copyright—the writer or the publisher? (3) Can copyrights be taken out in New Zealand, and if so, where?”— (1) You should apply to the Registrar of Copyright. AY ellington. for a copyright. You •will need to furnish him with a copy of the play and sign the papers required by him. (2) The writer or his appointee. (3) Yes, by application to the Registrar of Copyright, YY’ellington.

“Landlord” writes; “A friend of mine, a widow, not in verj’ good circumstances and over 60 years old. has a little fourroomed cottage, to which is attached a quarter-acre of garden—the best of soil. Two years ago a man and his wife and family rented the premises at 7s per week. For the first year the tenant paid up the rent fairly well, but since last February he has dodged payment. He is employed on the Public Works, and has been there for nearly two years. YY hat would be the best steps to take in the matter? ' The arrears of rent should be placed in the hands of a solicitor for collection.

“Alex. 2 ” asks: “ Some time ago I bought an article from a woman, asking her if she would take a certain price for it. She asked her husband, and he agreed. After pay : ng for the article I found it was not what it was represented to be. so asked for a return of my money, but she refused. I summoned her and got judgment against her. also witnesses’ expenses. I have sent several times for the money, but have had no response. Her husband is m constant work and they have no family. (1) YY’hat is the best thing for me to do? (2) After her husband being agreeable in the first place, can I hold him responsible for her debt? ” (1) If thf woman has no assets, you can go no further in the matter 12) You cannot claim against the husband.