LATEST CABLE NEWS THE DENISTOUN CASE

Hokitika Guardian, 21 March 1925, Page 3

LATEST CABLE NEWS THE DENISTOUN CASE

AU3TKA.LXAN AND N.Z. CABL* ASSOCIATION. ANGRY AND BITTER EXCHANGES LONDON, .March 19. When the Denistoun case was resumed angry and hitter exchanges marked the defendant's cress examination. The defendant frequently thumped the table, in emphasis of his indignant answers. Sir Ellis 11 mne-Williains :—Did not yon agree to support your wife if in a position to do so? Witness: Surely a man can write to his wife? He cannot help it if hi. letter is maliciously used! The defendant denied that there was any agreement between him and the plaintiff, Ho had told her that he would help her .all that was humanly possible, hut he could only draw on money with Lady Cnrnavon's o'quiescence. The whole case was malice on the plaintiff’s part, he said, in order to show up hi.s present wife, "ho liefore Lord Carnarvon's death, to witness gave twenty thousand, and also furnished hi.s fiat. Sir K. Humc-Williams: Lady Carnarvon’s idea in settling one hundred thousand at a time of your mariiage wits to invest you with dignity! Do 6 you think that, when you received twenty thousand and a flat from another man's wife, you had any dignity left?

Witness heatedly shouted: I won’t discuss it with you! Ask Lady Carnarvon herself. Sir E. Humc-Williams: I am not suggesting immorality between you and Lady Carnarvon.

Witness, jumping to his feet: “My land it is a most unfair statement. It. is pure blackmail. Mr Justice McCardie ruled that tin questions were permis,sable. Witness again refused lb discuss the question of his dignity, lie admitted that ho spent fourteen thousand in 1022.

When Counsel inquired regarding Lady Carnarvon’s control of his account, Denistoiin retorted : Your Nosey Parker business i.s quite unnecessary. Mr Justice McCardie: Several times you've replied offensively and discourteously. Witness: I am sorry, hut f am feeling very seedy. Continuing witness said that he tween May 1922 till the account "m closed in January, 1021, lie had paid in £10(1,231 sterling. His balance < £51.000 drawn out after the service < the writ was ] aid by hi.s present wife. WHO MU “I 1 "' IS. Re-examined, Denistoiin said that Mr I l ’, was named Mr .Frost, "i. whom lie understood lii.s wile had been living. Mr Frost at the instant o of the plaintiff became one of the trustees of their marriage settlement. Witness believed the truth of all his charges against tier. Me believed that “she was mil to marry most of them.” The object of this litigation was to clear up finally any claim against him, he said.

LADY CARNARVON'S EVIDENCE. LONDON, March 1". Denistoiin declared that it was a conspiracy to obtain money to intimidation. It was wholly untrue that he lias acquiesced in his wile’s associaion with General Cowans. Tf lie lr assaulted Cowans he would have been eoiirtmartialled. His wife would m Imre listened to a threat of divorce. Lady Carnarvon gave evidence. Sic said that plaintiff was an attractive woman to the- last degree. When she liked, none could resist her charm. The plaintiff used to describe Denistutin as “sweet hut hopelessly weak,” and “a wash-out.” The plaintifl had never told her that Heni.stoun had

connived in General Cowan's ull'uir in order to gain preferment. Wit new lot «l helped Dcnistoim financially. because lie had befriended her when she was ill, and also because he was poor and hungry. The charges against him were most wicked and abominable. He had been a tool in the 1 Inintdi hands.