THE DENISTOUN CASE

Hokitika Guardian, 25 March 1925, Page 2

THE DENISTOUN CASE

AUSTRALIAN AND N.Z. CABLE ASSOCIATION. PERFUMED WOMEN CONGREGATE AN OPPRESSIVE ATMOSPHERE. LONDON, March 23. The Court was so crowded with perfumed women when the Dennistoun ease was resumed that Air Jutiee AleCardie ordered the windows to he opened. There were many tense moments, tkj most notable of which was when Lady Carnarvon protested: “It is a lie,” when Sir Ellis llume-Williams told the jury that the defence had been designed to frighten the plaintiff out of Court.

Sir Ellis llume-Williams askedCould the jury understand the mentality of a man who was now living in luxury, and who refused to pay .£IOBB that had been paid out by his wife on his behalf, including his tailor’s and his club bills. The defendant, instead of repaying her out of the money that he had inherited from his lather, gave it to a solicitor. It was obvious that most of the twelve thousand that wus swallowed up in the costs of the defence was expended in scouring Europe and raking up everything detrimental to the plaintiff. The defence had denied there had been any agreement, and yet the defence ludicrously contended that it mplied that the plaintiff had to lead a chaste life. The defence had said it was a caso of blackmail, but be was more justified in saying the defence was most dishonest and discreditable. Sir E. H nine-Williams quoted extensive!'- from Lieut- Colonel Donnistoun’s earlier letters, which, he said, s-or.cd to suggest, that Dennistoun had wished his wife to continue her relationship with General Cowans, in order that defendant might always 1 avo settled the case, but lie had elected to submit his wife to a terrible ordeal.

Mr Justice AlcCardie, in summing no, said that there was no greater encouragement to Hie bringing of improper claims than the liape that eases with unpleasant details would he setled. Personally he felt that the defendant’s conduct- in permitting his wile’s liaison with General Cowans was gravely eoiiilemiiable. It largely discredited him. The plaintiff, lie-said, was one of the most adroit witnesses that he had seen, and if she had decided to invent a claim against the defence, she would be one of tbe most

dangerous witnesses. Air Justice AlcCardie said lie regarded the agreement as the vaguest cve-t scon.

Tbe ease was adjourned

AIRS DENNISTOUN AWARDED

£SOOO. LONDON. March 24. The Jury awarded Airs Dcnistoun (.'SOOO.