SIR JOSEPH WARD’S ESTATE

Timaru Herald, Volume CXXXVIII, Issue 19953, 10 November 1934, Page 5

SIR JOSEPH WARD’S ESTATE

PETITION FOR REMISSION OF DUTIES By Telegraph Press Association WELLINGTON. November 9. A remission of death duties in the estate of Sir Joseph Ward is sought in a petition presented in the House of Representatives yesterday by Mr J. Hargest (C., Invercargill) on behalf of Mrs Eileen Josephine Wood, only daughter of the former Prime Minister. The petition is as follows: “In consideration of my father’s services to the country and the disastrous effect the depression has had upon his estate, I am petitioning the House for a rebate of the exorbitant death duties of approximately £70,000 paid to the Government. I am allowed £3OO a year out of an estate valued by the Public Trustee at over £300,000. My father’s home at Heretaunga belongs to the estate, and the family agree to my receiving an additional £3 a week from the rental of the house. I cannot afford in it myself, hence the necessity for renting it. The proportion attributable to my share is approximately £12.150. In consequence, my income is so diminished that I find it impossible to meet the expenses incurred by me during the two years my father was Prime Minister, and I took my mother’s place as his hostess. I realise that I cannot legally regain any part of this amount, so I therefore reluctantly make this petition, owing to difficulties in which I find myself placed.”