A LONG HEARING

Timaru Herald, Volume CXLIII, Issue 20781, 16 July 1937, Page 13

A LONG HEARING

ACTION AGAINST HUNTER TRUSTEES By Televranh Preu, ABftocinTtuu WELLINGTON, July 15. Tire hearing of evidence in the Hunter case, which began in the Supreme Court, Wellington, on June 17, was concluded to-day. The Court then adjourned till Monday, when the addresses of counsel will be delivered. During the hearing, which occupied 21 days, 18 witnesses gave evidence for the plaintiff, Lady Hunter, and 25 for the defendants, Cyril Paul Hunter and Thomas Percy Hunter. The evidence filled 577 typed foolscap sheets. The exhibits put in for the plaintiff totalled 109 and for the defendants 58. Alexander Dunn, barrister and solicitor, said he had owned the business of Bethune and Hunter since 1910, when he inherited It from his father. Bethune and Hunter had kept the accounts for the Porangahau Station ever since its purchase by Sir George’s father. For doing the business of the estate the firm got £250 a year, the use of the old Customhouse Street office and 8d a bale on wool shipped. Against that the firm rebated to the estate cash discounts and rebates, giving the benefit of wholesale prices. It let properties and collected rents and Interest and was general agent for the trustees in Wellington. Frank Henry Fraser-Smith, accountant, gave evidence of the value of the work of Bethune and Hunter to the estate of Sir George Hunter. He said he was satisfied that Bethune and Hunter were providing a service that no other institution could provide.