A ROMANTIC CASE.

Globe, Volume VIII, Issue 810, 26 January 1877, Page 3

A ROMANTIC CASE.

[By Telegraph ]

(From a correspondent of the Press.) Dunedin, January 25,

In Robertson v Ross this morning Mr Justice Williams refused the application for the amendment of the replication. He said be would be sorry to dismiss the jury after such a long trial without the issues being submitted to them. Evidence for the defence was then led, George Olulee declared that Robertson knew perfectly what was being signed by him in March, 1870, Mr Clark, a schoolmaster at Anderson’s Bay, said that in 1870 the plaintiff told him that he had no power to sell the land there, as it was settled on Mrs Rose, and that the rest of the family had been quarrelling over his disposition of the property. Witness afterwards, at Robertson's request, made him out a will to secure his two daughters in undisturbed possession. This will was witnessed in the presence of Robertson’s wife and the local clergyman. [Robertson in his evidence declared he burnt this will immediately after Clark’s back was turned.] Later on Robertson said he was not satisfied with the disposal of the Anderson’s Bay property, and got witness to write to Ross asking ii he would give up the deed he then possessed for one making over the Anderson’s Bay property to his (Ross’s) wife. Rosa replied in the affirmative, at which the old man was greatly pleased. Next morning the old man was in a state of mental perturbation, and said he had the life of a dog with his wife. That the latter wanted to get all for herself, but his Jeannie (Mrs Rosa) should have the property in spite of her. Mr Stamper, solicitor, declared that when the deed of March, 1870, was signed, Ro bertson seemed to want to keep the affair secret, owing to difficulties with his wife. According to instructions witness drafted a deed which conveyed the property to Mrs Boss. In engrossing from this draft the deed which was executed, Ross inserted his own name after his wife’s in each instance. The case will conclude either late tomorrow or on Saturday.