AN EXTRAORDINARY LAW CASE.

Dunstan Times, Issue 526, 17 May 1872, Page 1 (Supplement)

AN EXTRAORDINARY LAW CASE.

A case of most romantic character has just been tried in the Rockhampton sittings of the Queensland Supreme Court, which is remarkable even in these days when extraordina y law cases are becomingaquite common. In this case John Rose Brandon brought an action of ejectment against the occupants of some land in East-street, Rockhampton, which he claimed as the property of his wife, being inherit'd by her from her father, George Quigley, otherwise George Harris De Rusett. The defendants to the action the occupants of the ground, merely claimed under a possessory title, so that the case wholly turned on the ability of the plaintiffs to make out their claim Their case was, that Quigley deserted his wife in 1828, and went to In din, where he engaged in the service of the King of Oude, his duties being to look after the Royal wardrobe, and trim the kingly beard. He assumed the name of De Russet, and was first known by Braudonunder that name Brandpu was aide-de-camp to the King, and besides his pay of 500 rupees a month, was allowed 24 bearers and 5 horses ; in addition to which he kept 1 5, servants. He, many years later, married a daughter of De Russet, and aftei wards learned from her that their name was really Quigley. Some time after, returning to England with tier husband and filther in the suite of the Queen Dowager of Oude, Mrs. Brandon went to see an aunt, and was recognised by her in true melodramatic style by a mark on the neck, on seeing which the aunt exclaimed, “ yes, it is little Mary ” She then asked where her mother was buried, and was surprised to learn that her mother was yet alive in Northamptonshire, under the name of Jennison. About she came time her ffther married again, and his new wife taunted Mrs, Brandon with being illegitimate. This annoyed her father and her husband, andto put thematter beyond doubt, the question was investigated and statutory declarations were obtained, which thoroughly est ablished her legitimacy. On this, the relatives of De Rosett’s wife threatened to prosecute him for bigamy, and to avoid this he cameout to New Zealand, subsequently going toQ ueensland, and purchasing the pioperty forming the matter of the action. He also went to fndia with Brandon to prefer a claim for compensation against the Indian Government, which was granted. De Rusett and his first wife hadsincedied, and Braudonnow sought to recover the property as having fallen to his wife as the sole heir of De Rusett. There was, indeed, a son left in India, but he had disappeared for years, and' there seemed no doubt that he had been killed in the Cawnpore massacre. The case was most intricate and complicated, and involves matters of a curious nature, but alter three days’ hearing,.the jury considered that the claim was substantiated, aud gave a verdict to the plaintiff.