THE WELLINGTON BREACH OF PROMISE CASE.

Feilding Star, Volume III, Issue 34, 14 October 1882, Page 3

THE WELLINGTON BREACH OF PROMISE CASE.

We make the following- extracts fr"m the Post's report of the hearing of this interesting- ca^e : — William John Leybourne, the defendant, described the manner in which he became acquainted with the plaintiff at a picnic on the Prince of Wales' Birtdday, while playing- a g-nme of "Jolly Miller." He took her " round the rocks " a few days afterward. She expressed a wish tor a watch, as the clock where she resided Hid not keep good time. He did not care to be kept " waiting about" for her, so a day or two afterward he was " parsing- a sale " where he saw a watch being offered, and as it was going- very cheap he bought it for her. (Loud laughter.) On the night when he found fault with her for being late, plaintiff told him he had stuck liis ground better than any of her previous lovers. (Laughte-.) >he said the Wellington young men were a lot of duffers, otherwise they would have married her. (Laughter.) She said she. liked a dosr better than him, to which he replied that she would not put her arms round a dog's neck as she did round his. (Loud laught -r.) Referring to Mr Holliday, she stamped her foot, and said •' d Holliday." Witness was shocked at this; \v thought she mi^ht be " d ing " him next. (Laughter.) On the occasion when they had dinner together at her brother's houses, she sulked, and he made overtures to her in the way of pitching things on to her plate. (Roar* of louirhter.) Cross-examined — Witness did not know his exact position in the Railway Audit Office. He was gradually being promoted. Mr Shaw — Are you absent now on marriage leave ? Witness — Am I called upon to auswer such a question, your Honor 1 Mr Shaw — Never mind: I won't press it. Cross-examination continued — Before plaintiff went to Palm^rston he had not promised to marry her. She wished to be married on the 7th Stptember. but he did not agree to that, telling her he had not the inclination. (Laughter.) Mr Shaw - Then was the love-mak-ing all on her s de ? Witness— l th nk so. (Loud laughter.) Mr Shaw — Then bow did you come to write such affectionate letters ? Witness — 1 have what they call a "Complete Letter Writer." (Peals of laughter.) Mr f-haw — Did you write this to her : " After you had &one I felt extremely loneiy— -Oh, how sad; oh how forlorn " Witness — Yes. Examination continued — Witness could not say he got that piece out of the Letter Writer. He bad destroyed it for fear Miss Swin^y would find it out on coming to the house. (Laughter.) Cross - examination continued — Wit^pss wns not paying attention

to anybody now. He was taking- a short spell, but would be at liberty shortly. (Lav» liter.) He gave il8.«. for the watch lie presented to Miss Swiney. He was surprised at plaintiff wiping- up hop beer with a tea towl. He was not angry, however, nor did he look as black as thunder at her. Mr Shaw — Then, if Mr Swiney has sworn that you looked as black as thunder at his sister, it is untrue ? Witness — I can't answer for Mr Swiney s veracity, nor my own. (Laughter.) Cross-examination continued — Witness put her on probation of three months from the 19th April, at the en I of which period he *' intended to see further." She had bad two or three " trial trips " before this. (Laughter.) W hat he meant by " seeing furthi-r" was that he mi^ht accept the youn? lady ou good terms. (Henewed laurrhter.) Mr — You are one of those unfortunate younsr men who by their natural graces are pestered with femininp attentions ? Witness — I desire to maintain my fair pre c tijre as a sinple young 1 man. I am not going- to commit myself. (Loud biuahtor.) Cross-examination continued —He was 27 year? Ufai I**.1 **. Hp had asked Dr Collins advice about portingmarried, and that gentleu an candidly told him it would be be'ter for him to do so, giving his reasons. He had been a local preachor upon trial b fore he came to Wellington ; Miss Swin y was a sweetheart on probation. (Ji<>ur! laughter .) [As already announced in a previous issue, the jury, awarded this spirited young- lady £:?5 damagps.]