TROUBLE OVER WILL

Waikato Times, Volume 109, Issue 18256, 18 February 1931, Page 8

TROUBLE OVER WILL

LATE SIR GEORGE HUNTER LADY HUNTER’S EVIDENCE. GETTING A HOME FOR BETTY. (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 m the witness-box.

Continu'ng her evidence, Lady Hunter said she first decided to coniest the wills after she had heard of the doctors’ reports regarding Sir George's state of health. Mr Watson had told her to think deeply before taking any action. “I had always thought,” said witness, "that I could remove the codicil about the 300 acres at Porangahau. I always thought that if I could get a home for Betty I would let the other things slide.” Counsel: Have you any complaint to make as to your own position under any of these wills?—No. I have no complaint. Why, then, are you so anxious to contest these walls? Witness replied that under the will of which probate was sought there was no home for Betty until she was 21. There was no station home, although her lather had wanted a station environment for her, and there was no residue, only the income from £lO,000 when she was 10. That was the reason why she had decided to contest the will. Lady Hunter went on to say that after Sir George had the apoplectic stroke on September 20, 1920, she was almost continually with him until his death. Sir George did not retain his interest in politics or racing. Witness detailed tier efforts to retain Sir George’s seat in Parliament for him, as he had said before his illness that he wanted to die a member of Parliament. Lady Hunter said she had remonstrated when she heard on the morning previous to the signing about the October will. She said Sir George had already made a will. Nonsense in Court. Answering a question concerning lemon farming on 300 acres at Porangahau, Lady Hunter said it was ridiculous. "I have never had to sit and listen to so much nonsense as r have in this Court, not only about the lemon farm, but about a number of other things.” Witness said she knew nothing about the arrangements for signing the November will until the actual ceremony. Mr Dunn had not read the whole will. Witness stopped him him, because Sir George had been fatigued. To His Honour, witness said she objected to the November will because it did not give effect to what she had been planning. Betty was to have received £IO,OOO before she was 40 and have the Dixon Street and a station home.

"Aly real complaint is that Betty is homeless,” witness said, in answer to Air Watson.

TO-DAY'S PROCEEDINGS. PREPARATION OF THE WILL. (By Telegraph.—Press Association.) WELLLNGTON, Wednesday. Evidence was given to-day in 'the Hunter will case by A. K. S. AlcKenzie, who prepared the 192't will. Carl 11. .Jorgenson, masseur, said lie found Hie lale Sir George Hunter unable to concentrate on anything or ■maintain his interest in any subject. Sir Donald AlcGavin also gave evidence.