A “ PRINCESS.”

Hokitika Guardian, 14 March 1923, Page 1

A “ PRINCESS.”

DRUNK AND DISORDERLY. AX ASH BURTON SENSATION. fIU" TEfjKGItAPH— PER I’HEHB AHHORMTION] ASH BURTON. March 1,3. From licr {'rand palaces at Moscow and St. Petersburg and her lovely little villa at Monte Carlo the “Grand Duchess Princess Tvnnovitcli” or to use her nnmerons English names Harriet R.nshford, Henrietta Southall Fuller. was a visitor to Ashburton yesterday as a first offending inebriate, and was the guest at His Majesty's local lock-up. Mrs Fuller arrived at Ashburton yesterday by the Christohnreh-Dunedin express in a “beastly state of drunkenness” according to evidence at Court this morning, when a charge in accordance with her condition at the time of licr arrival was preferred ag.vnst her. It was stated that on leaving Christchurch the “Princess” indulged in liquid refreshment, namely, whisky. So generously did she treat herself thal she rapidly became the source of great annoyance to her immediate bub travellers.

At Raknia the guard decided that the “Princess” had overstep] ed the

mark and relieved her of the whisky. Her indication at this knew no hounds. Muddled with drink and seething with temper she achieved a remarkable state in mind, manner and untidiness. Her clothing was terribly disarranged, her boots found rest in another part of the ear and her stockings flapped about her ankles.

Mrs Fuller, who i> an English woman

allegedly married to a Grand Puke who awaits her in California, became altogether ton unladylike in her every aetiou for her fellow passengers. Const able O'Grady lisnned kindly to complaints when thi' train reached Asliloiitnn J,nd invited the “Princess” "to eotne along." Fortunately she was

under the impression that she was to he motored to Timam. which she thought quite nice on the part of her .Vliburton friends.

The journey ended abruptly at the Mona Square loek-uo. where the Prince .. was lodged. AVlien sic sobered • i. he a|so woke up the entire column

iilv Cor ls'd.i. of f>o sum mors her .-elec possessed rcniaikuhle volume. She (old the Senior Sergt. ol l’oliee that -no would tell T.nrd .Tellieoe of the frightful insult, "lie S-u-gt. told the Princess that lord .Tellieoe had instructed him to pet her in the celts. This calm tied the Princess. Strange to sny. she protested vigorously that u ■- thing move than a cup of coffee had passed her lip-; at one o'clock. The Sergt read the flint \et. for the atmosphere was rudely disturbed and the neighbours were afforded a little rest. Mrs Fuller had the modest sum of about in her possession, hut also passes-cd nil ■dahornte looking passport and mueh corn sum,douce which eertninl.v indicated that she was somebody somewhere. Tins moniing, the sen;'. Sergt allowed her out on bail in the sum of £3. There was no appearance at Court and a few interested spectators listened to the facts surrounding the simple ea-e of drunkenness in a railway carriage. Messrs R. Clark and K. F. Xiekoll (.fustices) were mi the bench. There was a preamble by Sonr.-Sergt .Tmk-

son covering the above details, the setir. Herat surprising the Justices when lie said that : "This woman is supposed to he a great Princess who was touring the country and who had been extensivelv interviewed and written up in the city papers.” The Sour. Sergt. concluded with a

brief reference to the “sight” and “moss” of Airs Fuller. Further dota Is were furnished h.v Constable O'Grad.v

who described tlio appearance of accused, laying emphasis mi the fact that her boots and bat wore off and tint licr stockings wore hanging down. “She was a disrov-utnhlp sight and she was in a beastly state of drunkenness." said witness.

"Tt's a very bad ease.” observed tb Renoh. “AVe will convict and inflict fine of £.V’