A WOMAN AND A FOOL.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXV, Issue 30, 6 February 1915, Page 3

A WOMAN AND A FOOL.

MONEY AND MARRIAGE.

Per Press 'Association. Auckland, February 6

At the Magistrate’s Court, Ernest Maltravers sued Sarah Jane Day, a widow woman, for £IOO, which, he alleged, he lent her to pay off a mortgage on one of two houses owned by her. The money, he alleged, was to be a free gift if they married; if not, the money was to be repaid without interest.

Maltravers stated in evidence that he met defendant on the waterfront, after which they kept company. She told him she was a single woman and employed as a housekeeper at Parnell. When he visited the house at Parnell he heard her call the man she was keeping house for “Charlie,” to which ne objected. She began to cool off, and. finally broke oil' the engagement and went to Wellington. He denied having ever threatened defendant with a revolver. Defendant denied that the money was a loan, it was a free gift, and when she received it there was no question of marriage. There had been no date fixed for a marriage with defendant. He came to the house unexpectedly and asked her to marry him at once, as it would bp cheaper. She refused, and he threatened her with a revolver.

Mr Kettle, S.M., said the plaintiffs testimony was the more reasonable of the two. She was evidently a clever woman, and be was a fool. The money was a payment to her and was to become a gift if marriage took place, but the marriage had not eventuated, and therefore the gift was not complete, and the money must be returned.

Judgment was given for plaintiff for £IOO, and costs £9 4s. -