Popular Legal Delusions.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XL, Issue 20, 13 May 1908, Page 20

Popular Legal Delusions.

Considering tlx* innumerable times the question has been answered in print, it i- quite astonishing the number of times the question arises as to the legality of the marriage of second cousins. ’*l know first cousins ran marry." runs one letter, ’but I am iohl that second cousins can’t." It is <liili<*nlt to explain the origin of this delusion, because then* is nothing in the term ‘‘second cousin" to suggest a nearer relationship than first cousin. Landlords who have weekly tenants an* much in the habit of persuading them to pay their rent fortnightly or monthly, in order to Im* in a position to bluff them into believing that if they wish to leave they must give a fortnight's or a month’s notice, which is not the case. In connection with money in Chancery there are many delusions, the principal of which is that estates that once get into Chancery never get out again. Persons who are remotely connected with somebody who 50 years ago was believed to have become entitled to some money which he never got. seek advice as to the best wav to go about getting the money. Perhaps it is too much io expect tin* general public to understand the procedure l>v means of which claims under wills of intestacies can generally be effectually dealt with within a reasonable period. It is true, of course, that then* are verv large dormant funds in Chancery, but it is equally true that they are there, for the most part, because there really is no living person entitled to them.