WANTING A "NICE WIFE."

Southland Times, Volume III, Issue 34, 25 January 1864, Page 5 (Supplement)

WANTING A "NICE WIFE."

At the Cork Quarter Session, among the insolvents brought before the Chairman was Nicholas Hennessy, late of Fortwilliam, who was arrested at the suit of Mary Ahem for £248 5i 7d. Mr O'Brien opposed his discharge on f he grounds contained iv the 22lst section of the Act, which stated that in case any person should be liable to be remanded for any terra not exceeding two years should be indebted for damages recovered in actions for criminal conversation, seduction, or breach of promise of marriage. The case wa*3 tried by a resptctable jury, who were of opinion that tlie damages claimed (£1000) were properly measured, but the sum they gave was only £200, thinking it more likely to be recovered than a larger amount. The insolvent was the only son and heir-at-law of Mr Hennessy, of Fortwilliam, a eon*iderab!e landed proprietor in tlie county. He was also expected to succeed to property from his uncle. It was proved to demonstration on inquiry that, these two gentlemen were of great wealth. The insolvent's name, it appeared, had stood upon ihe ratebook as beint? the owner of a In ge property near Cbarleville ; buc after proceedings were commenced an application was made to the rate collector to change his name on the rate-book, and it was done. The father's or uncle's name was substituted. The; statement the insolvent made with reference to his property was clearly a:i evasion of tlie Act Oi Parliament as his Worship would see by consulting tin* schedule. The young lady by whom the action Was instituted whs Miss Ahem, sisteY to a highly respc-ctabY professional gentleman in Dubiin. Mr O'Brien called on his Worship to remand the insolvent for the full period | of two years, and dismiss his petition, | as his client was assured that b\ that i course being adopted the amount would [ be paid. j Mrs Shinnor, mother of Mias Ahem, [ deposed that the father aud uncle of ! the insolvent were always considered to | be most respectable men, and were reputed to be wealthy. Insolvent always lived with his father. Witness's daughter was twenty-two years old. The insolvent's ei;g;iyemei t with her Continued from August to 0.-.tober, and was broken off abruptly. He said he had landed property ; that his father was after dividing his property between his two sons ; that he (insolvent.) was to get 320 acres. lie stated that he intended to purchase some property contiguous to his own land, and was to give from LiIOOO to L3OOO for it. Cross-examined by Mr Wallis — I have no reasou to believe that the insolvent is of weak intellect. Until the night that he said at mv house he wanted a wife, he was not acquainted with my daughter. Did he say — " All I want is a nice wile, and I'd not go away without an answer?'' (Laughter.) Yes ; it was at the tea table he said it, and it created amusement and amazement. We thought it a strange way to announce his intentions. I never expressed an ooiuion that he was of weak intellect. When ha ma-'.e tlie disclosure of his circumstances he was not ac epted, and not for eight or nine days alter. lam not aware that he was wandering about the country. His father came to our house oue evening to ask where he had been. In about eight or nine days afterwards he proposed to my daughter. The insolvent was examined by Mr Wallis —He deposed that he had not, nor ever hadt a &od of property • out of the property that his name was on the rate book lor he. never got a farthing. Mr O'Brien — Where are the hunters ? Insolvent — 1 had only oue mare, and I sold her. Mr Wallis submitted that there was no suppression of property in the case. The c was evidence that the insolvent had made misrepresentations, with the object of getting a wife. (Laughter.) The insolvent was wandering about the country away from his family, with his lather, who did not know what he was doing, in Search of him. He (Mr Wallis) could prove that he was still dependent upon his father, aud, when Shmnor spoke about his property, he was told that he had none, and that from his conduct and weakness of intellect it was not likely that he would lie left much. Mr Wallis then read a letter from Mr Shmnor to Mr Hennessy, senior, complaining of the conduct of his son. In it the writer stated : — •* Your son came to my house in my absence (I being in Cork), unasked, on the 15th of August last, Mrs Shinor and her daughters being at home, to whom he was a perfect stranger, Mrs Shinnor by mere chance knew his appearance. I returned home by the 6.30 p.m. train, in the midst of tea he suddeuly turned round and said, to our utter amusement and amazement, " You all know what brought me here,

and as George will give nic no help, I must take my own part. I came to get a wife, I want no money, as I liave plenty myself. All I want is a nice wife, and I will not go away without my answer.'' (Loud laughter.) His Worship said the insolvent brought all his difficulties upon himself. He represented that he was possessed of considerable property, and trifled with the feelings of this young woman. He wou'd remand him for two years.