BREACH OF PROMISE

Hokitika Guardian, 27 August 1929, Page 3

BREACH OF PROMISE

£SO DAMAGES.

By Telegraph—Per Press Association.)

CHRISTCHURCH, August 26

Fifty pounds damages were awarded to Miss Vera Gwendoline Ormandy for breach ' of premise, by Mr Justice Adams in 'the Supreme Court to-day. Aiiss Ormandy claimed from Maurice Walter Carter, motor' mechanic, £250 general damages, and £SO, the cost o!. a trousseau, for breach of promise to Marry her. , . ' The defendant denied such agreement, as was alleged, and a further defence was made that, if such agreement had been made, it had been terminated by the’plaintiff. It was stated by the plaintiff that she became engaged to Carter two or three years ago. Prior to that they had been keeping company for several years.. From the date of engagement to May 28th; 1929,-arangements had proceeded for the marriage, which was set down for June 19th. A house had been obtained, a clergyman engaged for the ceremony, the banns had been called, and invitations had been sent out for the wedding party.' The defendant, without a word of explanation, had said that the marriage must be declared off. Since then the. plaintiff had received from. Carter a registered letter, dehlariding the - return , of certain articles. • . . *..i. i• t{'

.Evidence was. given of several “ tiffs ” between the parties!'dimrigitbe period of the engagement.' • » The final quarrel concerned the : invitation"-of Carter’s relatives to the wedding 1 arid to an evening party prior to the wedJ in S- 1 ; ■, . Y... ; . The defendant gaVe evidence that he bought the engagement ring on hii? 22nd birthday. He had b'e'eii stronglopposed to a big weddiiig. At that time lie was earning £3 14s weekly. On several occasions there had been quarrels between the plaintiff and jhim self, arid, she Rad offered him the ring back, but. lie always had refused. He alleged that after the final quarrel the plaintiff broke off the engagement. His Honour, in awarding £SO damages, said the fact was clear that the defendant had failed to keep his promise to marry the girl:; !