A MARQUIS'S DOUBLE.

Auckland Star, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 154, 29 June 1907, Page 13

A MARQUIS'S DOUBLE.

LORD HTXTLY IN AN AWKWARD POSITION. During the hearing on Saturday, May 11. of an application for a committal order against the Marquis oi Huntiy for the non payment of a judgment obtained by Madame Frederic, Court dressmaker, before Mr Justice Bigham, the following iuteresting cross-examination of his lordship took place:— Mr Gill, K.C.: It is said that you are In the habit of frequenting a house in Fltzroy Square called the St. Carlos Hotel? The Marquis of Huntiy: I have read an affidavit to chat effect, but it is not true. It is alleged that you have been in the habit for a long time past of going there in the afternoons?—l have read it. I never went there until last Monday, and then I went to ascertain what the affidavit meant. The statement that you have been driven there from King's Cross Station repeatedly is entirely without foundation?— Entirely. You know affidavits have been made for the purpose of establishing that you are a man of means and spend money freely?— I understand it-

It is said that on March 14th you went from the Royal Society's Club to Fltzroy Square, that you were followed from that place to King's Cross Station, and that you left by the 5.45 train?— That is not the case. On that day I came up from Peterborough by the 10.15 train, and arrived at King's Cross shortly after noon. I went to the Guards' Club. Afterwards I lunched at the Hotel Metropole, and went to the House of Lords to look for some papers I had left There was nothing on the paper to keep mc, and I went to King's Cross and left by the 4.15 train. Mr Lane (re-examining): Do you think some one must have been taken for yon? Yes. Within the last month a gentleman has been three times mistaken "for me— once going into my solicitor's office, and another time m the lobby of the House of Commons. He is spoken of as my double. On Tuesday evidence was given by cabmen and others with a view to proving identity and means, at the end of which his Lordship expressed an opinion that there was evidence of means to an extent- The arrears amounted to £109, and ought to be paid. That being so, he should make the committal order, but would direct it to remain in office for a fortnight. Mr Foote, XC, on behalf of the Marquis, asked that it should be suspended for a month. Ail the parties consenting, his Lordship suspended the committal order for a montn, and directed the costs to be paid by the. Marquis.