THE DUNMOW FLITCH

Hokitika Guardian, 14 August 1925, Page 4

THE DUNMOW FLITCH

CLAIMANTS BRING 0 CHILDREN. LONDON, June 2. Three married couples wjth beatific smiles—who alleged tliev fold enjoyed conjugal harmony tor “a year and a day”—appeared before Mr G. K. Chesterton (in full-bottomed wig and red robe) in the trial for the Dunmow Flitch at Ilford yesterday. Air E. Vincent Waring, publisher, of Wimbledon, was th. first claimant. As lie and his wife a filed at each other in the witness-box nine children —their family—romped on to the platform. Sir Henry Slesser, K.U., M.P. (Lab., Leeds), ex-Solieitor-General, and -Mr Marclv Jones, ALP., (Lab., Pontypridd), both for the claimants, examined. “I think you are a married man?” was the first question. Witness nodded dumbly at his nine children. His hobby was entertaining children, his favourite authors (with a sly look at the judge) included Gilbert Chesterton. The judge asked amid laughter: “Who is Gilbert Chesterton ?” ~ji- and .Mrs Waring had had no quarrel. Their marriage in 1910 had produced no cross words. They were very fond of children. “Then why.” came the question, ‘“have you not more of them?” Afr Waring repeated the date of his marriage. ‘“lf you had to go through your life again,” counsel said next, “what would you do?” Loud cheers greeted the answer: “Get married earlier.” “Aly children certainly quarrel at times.” .Mi Waring conceded. “Then whom do they take after?” asked counsel, hut a- roar of laughter gave away the trap. 1.000 WOMEN VISITORS. The laugh of the day came when, Sir Henry Slesser, having elicited that a servant had left the claimant’s house. Air Waring added: “She stayed 7 years, and left to get married, because she felt married life was so happy.” Air R. G. dairy. Al. P. ((’., Newport), present with his wife, lost ground rapidly when he was forced to admit under severe cross-examination, that he had been visited at the House by a party of 1,000 women from his constituency and that he was a member of two clubs. Mr W. 11. Nixon, a railway clerk, of St. Albans, the next claimant, was ill deadlv earnest. He spoke ol happiness and hobbies together, and his love of Charles Dickens. Mr Toni Groves, ALP.. (Lab.. Stratford). defending the Flitch, eontended that no couple deserved it. They could not believe Hint a railway clerk could behave so well at home after handling a vexatious public all (lav. The imlgo would remember that he suffered from the obduracy of publishers in liis early days, and would mete out justice to one publishder that day. As M. P.s they knew that an AI..P. could not live at peace and amity with liis own neighbours. THE SUMMING UP. In his summing-up the judge pointed out that for some im-understa.iuhilile reason a Christian girl laid (lowers on l lie grave of Nero. Alight there not ho some woman to lay a flower on the grave of a publisher, and might it not Ik* his wife? The jury of spinsters and bachelors found for the publisher ami his wife, Mr and Airs AYariiig. In regard to Air and Airs (lurry. they found for the Fiiteh. with a strong recommendation that the mercy of the court should lie extended. (Laughter.) It was afterwars stated that the donor of the Flitch had agreed to add another and that the second one would lie emiallv divided between the unsuccessful claimants. The beginning oi the annual award of the Duiiiiiow Flit cii ol baron is traditiomill v ascribed to Robert I 1 itzWal ter. leader of the barons who forced King John to grant Magna Cliarta in 1215. Fitz. Waller is supposed to have been buried al Little Dunmow Priory, Essex.