THIS YEAR’S FLITCH “TAY PAY” AND DUNMOW

Shannon News, 17 August 1926, Page 1

THIS YEAR’S FLITCH “TAY PAY” AND DUNMOW

A STRANGE CUSTOM With wig and scarlet robes, “Mr. Justice” T. P. O’Connor, M.P., presided over the Dunmow Flitch Trial at Ilford recently. The claimants have to prove that for a year and a day they have lived together in perfect harmony. Three couples should have appeared on trial this year, but, owing to stage fright, one elderly couple found themselves unable to agree at the last moment, and stayed at home. Of the two couples who did appear one octogenarian pair declared they had ‘‘never been blessed with a child;’ while the. other couple swore that they were happy because of their 10 children. 'The successful claimants were Mr. and Mrs. Wood (with 10 children), Clarissa Road, Chadwell Heath, and Mr. and Mrs. ;A. P. Arnold (without children), Wenworth Road, Manor Park. Briefed for 'the claimants were Capt. J. W. Morris, Councillor John Elborne, and Mme. Pctry—dressed as Portia. Mr. C. E. Grigsby led for “the Flitch,” and with him were Alderman Tanner and Mme. Bagnall, h second Partia. Matcli-Maldng Jurors. To the left of the judge sat a mixed jury of six uncomfortably warm young cool-looking maidens. On the judges right two flitches of bacon glistened in the heat. “Every year we have to change the jury,” it was stated, “because during the year at least three or four of them get married. Not infrequently the men marry the girls on the jury.” Followed by a string of six bonnie children, Mr. and Mrs. Wood stepped on to the rostrum. Giving evidence, Mr. Wood said his favourite author was Charles Dickens. He made a point of never reading at meals. He was an engineer by profession, and married from choice. No clubman, he preferred to stay at home and listen to the wireless. Only Quarrel Over Ireland “We were married on December 2, ,1876,” said Mr. Arnold, in the box, “and we’ve never really had any cross words. Ido just remember that there w r as one occasion, a long, long while ago, -when I was not quite sure I was glad to be married. It v r as when I came > back from an obscure political meeting, addressed by a young man named T. P. O’Connor. I think I have seen him here .this afternoon. So my wife, who is Irish, had a little argument about Home Rule, and I’m glad to say it ended in my conversion. The Judge (summing dp): “It appears to me that counsel on both sides, instead of addressing their remarks to the intelligent jury, thought more of the. audience, I am still more surprised at this when I look at the bouqet of beauty, on my left,. As for the bachelor jurymen, it is hardly likely that they will escape early marriage. “Mr. and Mrs. Wood have been proved a thoroughly devoted couple, even in trouble-and sickness, and the dark shadows. . And as for Mr. and Mrs. Arnold, there is no wonder that they are so happy when an English husband has the good sense to give way to the superior wisdom of his Irish wife.” Each couple v T as then awarded a flitch. A claimant for the Stonehenge flitch, awarded at Amesbury the same day for the happiest married couple, had* been postillion to Edward VII, when Prince of Wales, and drove a four-in-hand to the Derby from London for 33 years. Tlie jury declined to award them the flitch because, on their own admission, they had tiffs during the past year on account qf the husband’s inaptitude for housework. The wirfner was ex-Sergt.-Major Harbour, who denied that it was impossible for a sergeant-major to live a year without using ,Army language to his wife. C. & C.’s Winter Sale ends to-day. A great selection of cushions in all shapes and sizes, suitable for all occasions, are offered at surprisingly low prices. Come in and see them. —Collinson ft Cunninghame Ltd.