MOUSTACHE AS AN ASSET.

Rangitikei Advocate and Manawatu Argus, Volume XXXIII, Issue 9098, 18 March 1908, Page 2

MOUSTACHE AS AN ASSET.

PATIENT’S CLAIM AGAINST A DENTIST. Lmidon, January ML "Wandsworth County Court rang with laugh ter yesterday when Mr William a coal merchant's traveller, living at Gigli road, Balham, brought an action against Mr Robert Gox, a Balham dentist to recover £SO damages for having bis moustache spoiled. Mr Smith stated that he went to Mr .Cox’s surgery to have a tooth stopped, and at the assistant’s suggestion, he agreed to have his tooth scaled. While this was being done the- hair of his moustache became entangled in the machine, and some of it was torn out by the roots. ‘ ‘The whole of one side of my lip was bald before I realised what had happened.” lie continued, plaintively. “The assistant became very excited, and paced up and down the room. He seized a brush, scarcely knowing what . he. was doing, and tried to brush part of the centre of the moustache over the bald portion. “I asked for a looking-glass, but lie did not give me one. Then he exclaimed, ‘What have I done, Mr Smith? What shall I do? I shall get the sack and have to give up dentistry. I never did such a thing before.’ ’

“The assistant offered to pay a hairdresser for putting the moustache right,” Mr Smith declared. “I saw Mr Cox, ami lie advised me to have a clean shave. Ho said ho had

known a man to have the centre of Lis moustache pulled out.

“I replied, ‘Shave! Indeed no, not alter twenty years. ’ ” In cross-examination Mr Smith said he was satisfied that lie would never have a proper moustache again, and that he would probably have to have it shaved off. “I suffered great pa-in ” he added, but it is not for that I am asking damages—ic is for the great disfigure - mem - . It has been a constant worry to me. ’ : Sir Schwabs. who defended, characterised the action as ridiculous. “L; it had been a- girl who wanted to ilnd a husband,” he stated, "it >roaid be different.” ■‘Much depends on the value of a moustache, ” said the Judge. “Sc,mo people may think them valuable and others that they arc worthless. Whether Mr Voiiidi would lead: baiter wild.our we is a matter for the yiry. ’ ’ The jury awarded air Smith one guinea damapus.