A DISPUTED WILL

Southland Times, Issue 19479, 31 March 1922, Page 6

A DISPUTED WILL

UNDUE INFLUENCE ASSERTED. JUDGMENT RESERyED. (Per United Press Association.) NAPIER, March 30. A motion for probate in the estate of the late Elizabeth Ellen Twigger was opposed at the Supreme Court to-day before Mr Justice Reed by Thomas Twigger, son of deceased, on the grounds that his mother was not in a fit mental state to make a will, and that undue influence was exercised by the one of the beneficiaries, J. Clark Thomson, to whom the bulk of tbe estate, valued at £556, was willed. Thomson denied having influenced the deceased and evidence was called to show that he strongly objected when Mrs Twigger proposed to leave her money to him. It was also stated in the evidence that deceased had spoken of the wayward habits of the son, and said she would not leave him anything. Medical evidence supported the contention that Mrs Twigger’s mind was sound when the will was executed. The caveator called evidence in an endeavour to prove that the illness from which the mother suffered, lethargic encephalitis, had an effect on her mind. Witnesses also stated that Mrs Twiggers had spoken well of the son and said she would leave her money to him. Counsel’s addresses are to be sent to Wellington and judgment was reserved.