MAN WITH TWO WIDOWS.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXII, Issue 1790, 22 June 1906, Page 4

MAN WITH TWO WIDOWS.

WIDOW IN POSSESSION OUSTED.

Mtlbcurno, Juno 5

Yosterclay was tlxo day appointed by Mr Gaudier, tho city coronor, for the final adjudication between the two claimants to the widowhood of James Black, a carpenter, who died somo weeks ago from a fractured skull. Mrs Ellon Marie Black had previously declared that she had married Black noarly 130 years ago, but had not lived with him for the last IS years. Mrs Jano Black, tho widow in possession, told tho coronor that she had been legally married to Black, and directed him for proof of the marriage to Sands and M’Dougall’s Directory. Tho coroner declined to accept this as eVl ' donee, and ordered the production of marriage certificates. Mrs Jane Black therefore appeared before the coroner at the morgue yesterday. “Do you produco your marriage certificate,” tho coroner asked in formal fashion. Mrs Black, with an air of great deliberation, proceeded to undo a number of rolls of paper, replying as she did so, “I want you to see these.” “Let mo seo the marriage certificate I told you to produce/’ the coroner said severely. Mrs Black morely unrolled another lot of papers, and replied decisively, “ I decline to do so. Let this other woman produce her certificate. She claims to bo his wife.” “ I want yours,” tho coroner roplied

sternly. Mrs Black, however, ignored the demand, and takiDg a handful of letters from her pile of papers she held thorn up and commenced, “ Here are my papers— ” The coroner ovidontly felt that strong measures wero necossary if the matter was ever to bo settled ; so, leaning over towards her, he said quietly, “ Mrs Black, I will sign a warrant for your commitment for contempt of court.” Mrs Black grew llusterod. She produced another pile of letters and a long black ribbon, and hurriedly passed them to tho coroner. The Coroner (swooping up the piles .of. no.. pM.joD.-j. Mrs Black (sarcastically).—No give them to her. The Coronor.—Take her into custody.

Two constablos approached Mrs Black, who nodded hor head at tho coroner, and said warningly, “Be careful, now.” Tho Coronor (angrily;.—What ! This is contempt and perjury! Take her away! Mrs Black’s hardihood doserted hor, and convinced at last that the coroner was in earnest she wailed, “Don’t do that.”

Tho constables, however, took hold of hor, and hor wailing changed to hysterical screaming as she was led out of court. The other claimant—Mrs Ellen

Maiio Black—was then called. She produced a certified copy of the certificate of hor marriage with John Thomas Black at Richmond on May

7,1878. The Coroner.—This is in order. Did the deceased leave any property. Mrs Black.—lt is reported that he owned two shops, but I am not certain about it. Mrs Jane Black was thon recalled, and asked by the coroner if she had anything to say why she should not be imprisoned for ‘2l hours for contempt of court She expressed her sorrow, and again asked about her certificate, she produced a fresh lot of papers, and proceeded to hand theso, too, to the coroner ; but ho wardod them off, saying, “I don’t want any papers. I have seen a certified copy of tho other certificate.” Mrs Jano Black examined the certificate, and after reading out the name

“Ellen Marie B.aumont,” she went on, •' Yes, I thought it was his mother’s sister’s name ; and I also thought that this woman was dead.” Bhe then produced a newspaper cutting, in which was mentioned “ tho interment of Mrs James Black,” but tho coroner refused to seo it. Then he said to her solemnly, “ Mrs Black, you havo been porjuring yourself all this time'- ” Mrs Jane Black.—l am an innocent woman. The Coroner.—Do you apologise ? Mrs Jane Black. —Yes ; but I can bring two witnesso3 who woro witnesses to the signing of the papers The Coroner.— Now, that will do, I won’t impose any punishment on you, but I expect the police or the Crown law ollicors will take proceedings against you for perjury. Mrs Ellen Marie Black was th- n told that she was legally entitled to all that the deceased had left. “ The other woman,” the coroner said, “hes no legal right to tho property.”