Mahomedan Marriage in Natal

THE difficulties of Mahomedans living in Natal in bequeathing their property to their wives and children are best known from a case which was recently heard before the Natal Supreme Court. A Mahomedan had left his estates to his two wives and their children; and estate duty had to be paid there at the rate of 1 per cent. But the Government did not recognise the marriages and charged 5 per cent as if the wives and the children were strangers to the deceased. The Supreme Court, on hearing arguments, held that they could not recognise the claim of two wives. They, however, held that the children of the first wife were entitled to be regarded as legitimate and ordered the duty payable in respect of their share to be 1 per cent.