THE MORDAUNT CASE.

Auckland Star, Volume I, Issue 92, 26 April 1870, Page 3

THE MORDAUNT CASE.

The hearing of this sensational case was continued on February 23. -he interest culminated when the Prince of Wales stepped into the witness box to be examined.. Sir Frederick Johnstone also came forward to deny,"upon oath, the charges that had been made a.ainsl, him. The Prince's denial that there had been any undue familiarity between himself* and Lady Mordaunt was received with satisfaction iv the crowded Court.. EXAMINATION OJ? THE PEINCE OF WALES. * Dr. Deane said several names had been mixed up in the case, amongst others those of the Prince of Wales and Sir Frederick Johnstone, the .attar of whom had been.subjected to tho most hideous imputations. He proposed, therefore, to examine them, and he should first call on his Royal Highness, j.-y..; The Prince of Wales was then sworn. The Judge Ordinary : I feel it my duty in the first place ( o explain to your Royal Highness the position in which you now stand By the third section'of the Divorce Act, no 0..0 is bound to answer any questions tending to implicate himso in a chirge of adultery, and

-.-« ; i-iid_BoyaltHighness,was then .exaix-ined jis 1011-ws by Dr. Deane .—-"". *—■ 7 I: believe you?.* Foyal Highness has. been for several years acquainted with the Mordaunt family. —I have. Were you acquainted with Lady Mordaunt. before her marriage ?—I was. ' * -"■'■' ' On her marriage did you write to her and make her some wedding present ?—I did. 7 Has she visited you at Marlborough House, and seen your Royal Highness and the Princess of Wales there ?—She has. Has she gone to the theatre with your Royal.Highness ?—She has. Lady Mordaunt was married in 1866. In the year 1867 did you see much of her ?— Ifdid. And in the year 1868 ?—I did. Were you acquainted with SirC. Mordaunt? —I was. Have you frequently met Sir C. Mordaunt ? —I have. And with Lady Mordaunt ? —With Lady Mordaunt. Your Royal Highness knows a place called Burlingham. In June, 1868, there yas a pigeon match there, I believe ?—There was. Your Royal Highness was captain on the ono side, and Sir Charles Mordaunt on the other, and Lady Mordaunt scored for both sides, 1 believe ?—Yes, that was so. We have heard in ■ the course of this case that your Royal Highness uses hansom cabs occasionally ? Ido not know whether that is so or not. —It is. There is only one other question which it is my duty to put to your Royal Highness^ and it is this. Has there ever been any improper familiarity or criminal connection of any sort between yourself and Lady Mordaunt ?— There has not. (Cheers.) ' Mr. Serjeant Ballantine : I have no question to a-ik your Royal Highness. , i . His Royal Highness then left the witnessbox, and retired from the Court. EXAMINATION OF SIB I*. JOHNSTONE. Sir Frederick Johnstone was then called and worn. The Judge Ordinary : I must tell you, Sir Frederick, as I have already told his Royal Highness the Prince of . Wales, - that you are not bound to answer any questions tending to criminate yourself, or to implicate yourself in. the charge of adultei*y. Examined by Dr. Deane: I have been acquainted with Lady Mordaunt for several years: I have known her from a child, and have kept up acquaintance with her and her family. Sir Charles Mordaunt was at school witli me, but 1 did not know him afterwards, befoi-e his marriage. I was a frequent vi sitor at" Walton Hall, and kept my horses in' the neighbourhood. In the month of September, 1868, I dined with Lady Mordaunt, at the Alexandra Hotel. I got there about eight o'clock, as far as I can remember, and left at twelve. During that time, we were in the sitting-room. From first to last there has been no improper familiarity or criminal act between me and Lady Mordaunt. A more unfounded statement .was never made than that I have suffered severely from disease ; it is quite untrue. ]', Cross-examined by Mr. Serjeant Ballantine: I was invited to meet Lady Mordaunt at the Alexandra Hotel- I had called upon her there on the Wednesday, at two o'clock, and was invited to meet her on the following day. I knew her husband was not in town. I was two or three times on a visit to Walton. I never told him of the dinner with his wife. I never saw him, and I never referred to it by letter or otherwise to him. lam not a family connection of Lady Mordaunt's. . > By Dr. Deane : When I was alone, with Lady Maudaunt the waiter came into the room sometimes. Dr. Deane said this was the case for the respondent, and alluded to the publication of the Prince of Wales' letters as a most improper proceeding. , Mr. Sergeant Bailantyne said it was a most improper proceeding, and he could only say that he himself, and those who were with him, were as much surprised by it as anybody else. It was not his intention as he had already stated, to have the letters read. The Judge Ordinary : It was extremely improper, and my only doubt is whether I should not consider it a contempt of court. Dr. Deane read the letters, which have been already published. _ ;• - Mr. Sergeant Ballantine then said that withthe Court's permission he would rather not . address the jury until to-day, as the court waa intensely hot. The .Judge Ordinary concurred. The", Court then adjourned.