December 19, 1903 - John Miller’s will rejected

John Miller wrote a will, clearly identifying who he wanted his belongings and property to be passed to. However, the will was not dated so was rejected by the Trustee and it was determined that he died intestate. A scanned copy of the probate is available but the will itself is not scanned. The NZ Archives site states that there are several pages that have been fused together and it is possibly these that include the will. A request has been sent to NZ Archives for any information on whether the original will which was rejected by the Trustee can be scanned.

“ARROWTOWN.

December 19.—

When the late Mr J. A. Miller died it was found that the document he had left as his last will and testament was to practical purposes useless, as he had neglected to have his signature attested in a legal manner, in the presence of two witnesses. For a man who held the religious beliefs that deceased held the witnessing was worded decidely peculiarly: “Signed in the presence of Almighty God John Augustus Miller”. The intentions of the testator being so explicit in regard to the distribution of his property, and his wishes in that respect being so well known, it was tried to prove the will, but in this the trustee was unsuccessful. I understand the person to whom the house left has a document in his possession which makes the transfer amount to a deed of gift. It is doubtful, however, what the result will be – whether he will come into possession or no. My reasoning mentioning the matter at all in these notes is to draw attention to the necessity of first making a will and secondly of seeing that the document is made out in a legal manner. Few know the world as the late Mr Miller knew it. His experience in all subjects was unlimited, and yet even he made this great mistake in a matter of much importance. His purpose and intentions were so plain, he had so carefully divided his belongings, and had doubtless pictured the beneficiaries in the enjoyment of them and what is the result? — everything in the hands of strangers.”

Source: OTAGO WITNESS, ISSUE 2597, 23 DECEMBER 1903, PAGE 30 (https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/OW19031223.2.75.2)