THE DRUCE CASE.

Rangitikei Advocate and Manawatu Argus, Volume XXII, Issue 9006, 20 November 1907, Page 2

THE DRUCE CASE.

Press Association—Copyright Loudon, November 19. Mr Caldwell denied that he aud his brother held the leasehold property in Londonderry in 18!>8, and denied assigning to iu. IBi 1 tho insurance, policy ou Robert Cald- , well's life, but his brother might have told him he had made an assignment. Mr Plowden, ths Magistrate, put a series of searching questions, and remarked that some people believed Druce was the real person who died. Did auy of these call or ask to see the corpse before burial? Caldwell! No. They, were tin aware he was dead until tho funeral was over. Mr Plowden did not-permit-the iifoducHon of a copy of tho diary on tiie ground that it was made by a third party. Miss Robinson stated she had also copied it. Mr Plowden said that possibly a copy was unnecessary. Miss Robinson testified that she knew Druce iu ISGI, and again as Druce at Welbeck in 1868, when introduced by Charles Dickens, whom sho met at Boston, America, and at whose instances she became engaged. She received, at the work' shop, letters for Druce in the name of Madame Tusgard. In Mr Avorys remarks, objecting to the copv, lie shewed the date of the manufacture. Of the paper whereon the original was written was questioned during its custody .in Loudon. I London, November 19. Miss Robinson deposed that Mr Dickens in ISfiS introduced her Druce at.Welbeck and she became his out* Bide correspondent. Mr Plowden remarked that ,ho thought Drvico disappeared in 1864 and he refused-to admit the partial copy of the diary made by Miss Robinson when preparing her evidence. A NEW CLAIMANT. Received November 20, 8.27 a.m. Now York, November 19. Tlio Now York papers report that a Mr Calkins, a merchant of Millville, New Jersey, claims the Portland Estates as a descendant of tho first Duke's eldest sou, who settled in America at tho beginning of last century.