A BOGUS MARRIAGE.

Gisborne Times, Volume XIX, Issue 1672, 13 February 1906, Page 3

A BOGUS MARRIAGE.

STRANGE STORY TOLD BY A DOMESTIC.

DECEIVING A SIMPLE WOMAN.

An alleged bogus marriage was a faotor in a civil action heard at the Wellington Magistrate’s Court, the plaintiff being Annie O’BrieD, a domestic servant, and the defendant John Gosfoer, a fireman on the Union Company’s coast trader

Arahura. - Mr Hindmarsb, counsel for the plaintitt, oxplained that his client might be called simple, and alleged that about twenty people got her to go through a bogus marriage with tbe defendant in a private house. After the ceremony these people got some money from her to go and buy beer. After the beer had teen consumed she left the promises with the defendant who subsequently knockod her down, and seriously injured her leg. Pla’ntiff, in the course of a rambling statement, dfposed that the defendant asked her to marry him, and stated that he bad £ls. He wanted her go to the Catholic churob, but witness told him that she was not gorng to be “ humbugged" with him. He then stated that he would go and bring a minister to the house, , , , His Worship: Is this a rehearsal of “ The Earl and the Girl ?” (Laughter.) ■ Mr Wilford (for defendant) : No it is John F. Sheridan’s “ Widow O’Briin”

(Renewed laughter.) The witness, continuing, Btated that at the house in question they brought a man who looked respectable. He was dressed in a brown hat and a brown coat, and carried an umbrella and a Bible in his hands. Witoees and tbe defendant were marriod in tho kitoheD, and all Bigned their names as witnesses. Mr Hindmarsh: Can you read or write ? Witness: No. Continuing, witness said Bhe asked the man in the brown coat if ho had married people before, and he said “ Yes.” The party asked her to give them half-a crowD, and witness did so. They got beer with

i». Aftor tho ceremony was over one man advised witnees to go home. She took his advice and left tho house. The defendant followed and knocked her down and injured her log. Mr Wilford! Did tho parson have dungaioe pants and bluohcr boots ? Witness: No. Do you remember that tbe parson had no surplice, and that they put a towel over bis arm?—No; it’s all lies. Are you sum they had a Bible ?—Yes. Didn’t they hunt round for a Bible, and when they oonldn’t find one, read the service out cf “ The Life of Peter the Great?” -No.

Wasn’t the defendant so 11 tight ” that he had to be hold up ?—No. Didn’t he turn round and say to you before the ceremony started, " what is your name ?” and you said to him 11 Annie," and ho said, 11 Annie, before we get married tie your laoe oollar f’ (Laughter.) —No, it is ell lies. CD.dn’t ho say, “ Annie, I won’t marry you until you tie your laoe oollar, and don’t you remember tyiog up your collar With a string and tying a nioe bow at the bottom of it so as to make you nioe lor be weWing?—No,

Was there a sobsr man In the house ? Yo«, they were'all as sober as you are now. (Loud langhler.) Mr Wtlford : Thal’is a really good testimonial you give mo. v (Laughter.) Did they have diflloulty in getting you to go to tho marriage ?—No. rt Didn’t you gallop over at full spood l (Laughter.)—No, I was lamo at the timo. Didn’t you go quicker than Gosbor, who was following you with faithful, but uncertain stops? (Laughter) —No, and I never asked him to marry me, bcoauso ho was too low and ragged. Didn’t tho ceremony stop on ono occasion bocauso the ministor refused to go on with tho ooromony beoauso Gojhor would do nothing but sit on the floor insload of standing up ?—lt’s all lies. Didn’t the minister say, “This oeromony is nob going on until Qoahor stands on bis foot ?’’ and didn’t Goshor then put his arm round your nook for support ?

No. Witness here wont on to give her verI sion of the proceedings, Bbe said the I ministor read the servico. Goshor borI rowed a ring from Mrs ——, and put it on me. , , Was not the ring obtained during the marriage oeremony by breaking an umbrella and getting a brass ring off tho handle?—No ; it's all lies. . 1 What did the parson say ?- Ho asked me what my name was, and if I was single. I said, “I am Annie O’Brien, and I am single.’’ Ho asked him (the defendant) who ho was, und ho said, "John Gosher.” Tho minister road the ceremony, and I oannot tell you two words of

Did you say 11 1 will ’’?—l do not know what I said.

I Didn’t he say, " Will you have this man Jto be your wedded husband ” ?—Ob, yes, I and I said, “ I will." You havo been through a wedding cereI mony before ?—Yes. I was married when II was seventeen. | Tho defondant, who stated that his name I was John Davis, said plaintiff bad been I pestering him, and they deoided to have a I wedding to paoify her. They oou!d_ not gel anyone in the house to act as minister, and they went to a hotel near by and | found an old party. There they had to oarry him from the hotel (o aot as parson, aud had to put a towel across bis arm just to make him “ look like something.” Ail the old man said was: 11 Will you tike this man to be yonr lawful husband *’? and the plaintiff said “ Yes.” Mr Wilford : Was the wedding serious ? Witness: No, we were laughing all over the honse.

Defendant denied having assaulted the plaint'ff, who had laid an information against him for maintenance after the alleged marriage, but no order was made. His Worship entered judgment for the defendant without costs, and counsel for the plaintiff as.ksd leave to appea 1 , wbioh was granted.