A SORDID CASE.

Hokitika Guardian, 6 March 1925, Page 3

A SORDID CASE.

MORBID SOCI KTY WOM EX GATH KR AIRS DEXXISTOUX’S EVIDENCE. [nY TELEGRAPH —PER PRESS ASSOCIATION.] (■Received this day at 3 a.m.S LONDON, .March I. The Court was crowded with fashion ably dressed women, inclining some belonging to high society, on the restitnpton of the Deniiistoun ease. Justice AleC'ardie at the outset, raised an objection to the further concealment of the identity of “X .” The man was dead and there was a danger of suspicion falling on an innocent one.” .Mr llum.e Williams said it was hoped it might have been possible to keep out the name, and he bowed to the Judge’s view. Airs Dennsitoun then, in a low voice, disclosed Sir John Cowans’ identity. She found Cowans a difficult man. He obtained all her husband’s appointments. Her husband was aware of this, as she told him everything that happened: Her relations Avith Cowans continued after the If it/, meeting, with her husband’s knowledge. In one letter he said. “ I know what you feel, but it is the only way to get on.”

In another of his letters lie mentioned a tale of carrying on with a woman and added that lie always took the line that lie knew the General Avell and treated his attentions to his wife as a commonplace matter. Witness sqid the General, at that time, Avns visiting her flat and she avus aware that people Averc bound to say things. Another letter expressed the hope that Snckville M’est would not 11 play dirty ” on him if Cowan retired. .

Plaintiff gave evidence that her husband made an arrangement for her and the General to go to Switzerland later. She referred to the gossip and Pcnnistonn replied—“ [ Avish I had not dragged you into this trouble.” Witness explained that people at that time wore making unkind remarks about herself, her husband and his appointments. Her husband intimated in 1919 that he intended to reside in Paris permanently. Their relations were then strained. She was hard tin and resorted to making cushions. She had not a regular allowance from the General, who Irom time to time gave her money. He was a charming man. and she was devoted to him. She and her husband agreed in 1921 that a divorce was (lie best thing. Cowans died in 1921. It Avas untrue that she had improper relations except with Cowans. She loved her husband from the beginning. There was nothing more she could have done for him, ns one of his letters suggested. Both the Carnarvons Avere very kind and befriended her for two years. Counsel announced that Deniiistoun at the date the writ Avas served. dreAv out the whole of his money from the bank amounting to .Csl,!*3d sterling. Plaintiff cross-examined, said it was unfair to ask if she approved of her counsel picturng her husband as a man living en her immoral earnings. The idea of Lady Carnarvon paying a reasonable sum to stop the case had not occurred to her. She denied telling her maid that iioav her husband avus remarrying, she could put on the screw. It was not her idea that as Deniiistoun had married a rich Avom.au he should support his divorced Avifc.

Sir .Marshall Hall, K.C., began probing plaintiff’s relations with other men, when plaintiff said: I annot Hi esc things he asked to-morrow. 1 have been in the box for six hours. The Judge granted an adjournment. It was announced that the doloneo Avould be a complete denial.

HIS DKATII-1! HD RKPKXTANCK. LONDON, March I. It is recalled that General Sir .1. Cowan’s name, in BMC, was mentioned during the investigation of the Lieutenant's transfer, wherein Mrs Corn wallis-West was interested. The court found that it was undesirable that a high officer should enter into private correspondence with a woman who had nothing to do with the case. The Government. thereupon recorded its displeasure. with Cowans. On the eve of his death, which occurred at Mentone, Cowans became a Roman Catholic. He body was laid in state at the 'Westminster Cathedral, lie left no estate. MRS DEXXISTOUN'S ADMISSIONS. (Received this day at 11.25 a.m.) LONDON, March ■>. Mrs Dennistouu denied that she had brought the action because her husband bad married a wealthy woman She denied that the man she desired to nnirrv bad stayed constantly at ni'dit in her flat, lie bad stayed only four or live times when he was Icelmg ill. She explained that she could not marry him because he was the l’ lt ' h ‘ nt Lari of Carnarvon's best lnend. . met him at Caniarvons’ House Mrs Dennistouu added that the Lall of Carnarvon was much opposed to his mother’s marriage. Witness denim Unit the letter she wrote to Hcmi.stouu saying: “I lost Alm.ua s fnendshio when you became her lovei. wa. a threat Deniiistoiin was living m adultry with Lady Carnarvon during the latter’s husband's hietune. ness had not been aware that her hu.baiul was starving and rediued to ning messages and getting I me ™ea *• When he met Lady Carnarvon she < not neglect him after the divorce, bu sent him money. She admitted marriage was not consummated i - three months because she was tuj> ened. , ~ Plaintilf explained that the Hawes mentioned in one letter was tic band of Lady Millicont Hawes. She was the Duchess of Sutherland w >">» • the iplaintilf frequently visited. J o Caniarvons had been most wonderful!) kind. They provided plaintiff with a home for two years and took her tray: oiling, including to Tutankhamen s tomb When the plaintiff was pennilem in 19211 she asked Almma to sel Her pearls for which Almina obtained c .i-/) I* 1 a ill tifl knew the Inendslup was deepening between Almina ami Dennistouu. . Dennistoun’s hank account showed £106,000 paid in after he manioc mina. ._

tub arsenal FIRE. (Received this day at 12..90 vi.nO LONDON. March ;*. Fire engines from all parts of London were rushed through the nig i t 0 the blaze at, the Woolwich Arsen.. . Thousands watched the flames which .started in a tailor’s shop ami spread ta the anti-gas factory. Ihe damage a ,ready is estimated at several thousands So far no casualties are reported, hut if the wind had been in tllo opposite direction the tire would lave reached the explosives factories, which would have resulted m an appalling disaster.