TROUBLE OYER WILL

Waikato Times, Volume 109, Issue 18255, 17 February 1931, Page 8

TROUBLE OYER WILL

LATE SIR GEORGE HUNTER. (By Telegraph.—Press Association.) WELLINGTON, Alonday. The Hunter will case was continued in the Supreme Court to-day. Continuing his evidence, Dr. Giesen said it was quite consistent in Sir George's mental condition that he would be able to discuss land deals and other business matters that had been part of his usual life before his illness, hut he would be quite incapable of initiating business ideas or doing business involving complex sets of facts. Answering questions, witness said that Sir George had been prone lo suggestion after his stroke. In reply to His Honour witness said he thought it likely a gift of 300 acres in favour of his daughter 'might have been the result of suggestion. It was 'equally likely that Die codicil lie made revoking lha„t clause in the will had also been the result of suggestion. TO-DAY’S PROCEEDINGS. DR. GIESEN CROSS-EXAAIINED. (By Telegraph.—Press Association.) WELLINGTON, Tuesday. The Hunter will case was-continued in the Supreme Court to-day, with Di. Giesen still under cross-examination in the witness-box. Among the replies he 'made to day was that his estimate of the late Sir 'George Hunter’s mentality was not made on his own observations on the occasion of his visits, but primarily on investigations made by Sir George’s & own medical man. “He was not my patient,” declared witness. Witness drew between the kind of mentality required to discuss Die matter of the price of land and that required in ihc making of a will. No one, he said, knew the value of his land better than did Sir George himself. Lady Hunter’s Evidence. Lady Hunter said Die marriage was celebrated in February, 1922, and the only child of the marriage was horn 15 months later. Sir George Hunter’s feeling towards the girl was one of intense. idolising affection. They both lived for her. The Dixon Street house was hought after Sir' George had declared that the Bolton Street house was unsuitable on account of Die environment not being fitted for the child, and the Afoorehouse Street house was bought because Sir George wanted a comfortoble home for his little girl. The house had formerly belonged In Sir George's great-grandfather,. The whole house was altered and designed for the child. Lady Hunter said Sir George was very proud of what he had done. Ail his" life he had been giving to everybody else, and the purchase was his only extravagance. Witness alleged that after Sir George died Air. Dunn told her that Sir George had made no intimation in his will regarding a house for Betty, and she had hotter put the child in a school and go to live in England. At the first meeting of trustees they said Betty would gel only £IO,OOO when she was 40, and would be lucky if she got, that. Received No Money From Estate. Witness said she herself was substantially interested in all three wills. She had received no money from Die estate since tier husband died. During her married life Sir George had made no settlement, on her, lliougii lie said he would. Sir George was short of money during the last few years of his life, and -her money and his was vised as a common account. Ho promised to pay her back some time. At one time he owed Air. Dunn £23,000 and was simply crazy about it. Sir, George lived wholly on selling- pieces of land occasionally.