SCOTT WILL CASE.

Taranaki Herald, Volume LXI, Issue 144129, 26 June 1913, Page 3

SCOTT WILL CASE.

UNDUE INFLUENCE ALLEGED. CASE FOR THE OBJECTORS. By Electric Telegraph.—Copyright. LONDON, June 25. In the Scott will case Sir E. Carson is representing tho Sackvjlles, and Mr. F. Smith is counsel for Malcolm Scott. Mr. Smith said that Sir John willed Lady Sackvillc, in token for her goodness and sympathy, particularly at tho time of his mother’s death, £150,090, pictures and furniture in Paris worth £350,000, and other valuables. As they were all loft duty free, which amounted to 40 per cent., there is likely to bo little or no residuary estate for the family out of a total of £1,180,000. Mr. Malcolm Scott “asks the court to pronounce that the missing codicil revokes the bequests to Lady Sackvillc. Another codicil of 1908 provided that if tho members of tho family disputed tho will they would bo disinherited. Mr. Smith continued that Sir John was affectionate and easily influenced. Ho met Lady Sackville in March, 1897. He kept a diary, and an entry in June, 1899, read; “She is a truly marvellous woman, clover and sympathetic.” In a later entry: ‘‘She told mo all her troubles and worries.” Mr. Smith stated that Walter Scott was desirous of becoming his brother’s private secretary. Lady Sackville objecting, ho took Walter for walks, and suggested that Walter was in love with her. Walter fduutly replied: ‘‘You never mads a greater mistake.” Lady Sackville afterwards told John that Walter was in love with her. Airs. Scott tried to persuade John to give up tho Sackvilles. Finally, in December, 1899, “Walter asked Lady Sackvillc to leave his brother alone, ns . he war, alienating the family. Lady SnckviUo refused, and Walter spoke to Sir John tlio same evening. ills mother overhoard the conversation, and died of heart attack tho next morning. Lady Sackvillo gradually insinuated herself as mistress in Sir John’s house, used his motor-cars, gave orders to tho servants, and arranged entertainments, putting his sisters in the background. Some money was given to tho Sackvillee, apparently upon a mortgage of Knowlo House. John advanced £SOO to meet tho expenses of tho litigation in tho legitimacy case. Some of Scott’s valuables wero sold yesterday at Christie’s day sale, bringing £57,551, including four panels of Beauvais tapestry, which brought £18,980.