10 MINUTES’ COURTSHIP

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 857, 28 December 1929, Page 6

10 MINUTES’ COURTSHIP

COURT CASE AFTER HASTY PROPOSAL GIRL AND WIDOWER Margaret Bandon, aged 2G, of Cardiff, Wales, recently sued Mr. Martin N. Sandell, aged 51, a Swedish mining engineer, living at Cardiff, for damages for breach of promise. Mr. Temple Morris, for Bliss Bandon, said that in 1927 Bliss Bandon was chambermaid at an hotel in Padington, W., at which Blr. Sandell, a widower, and his son, aged 13, stayed when in town. One morning she entered his room and Blr. Sandell remarked on her likeness to his late wife. He also commented on the beauty of her hair. He suggested marriage. Mr. Temple said that Blr. Sandell on returning to Cardiff asked Bliss Bandon’s mother for permission for the marriage. On August 25, 1927, an engagement ring was bought. The marriage was put off on A'arious pretexts from time to time. At Blr. Sandell’s invitation Miss Bandon became his housekeeper. Relations between them became intimate and it was alleged that afterwards Mr. Sandell turned her out of the house.

Miss Bandon, in evidence, admitted that Blr. Sandell proposed to her rather hurriedly. She entered his room at nine o’clock. He proposed to her about 10 minutes past nine.

Mr. Justice MeCardie: So that he offered marriage after 10 minutes’ courtship? —Yes. Mr. Sandell said that when he met the girl in London she asked him to help her to get back to Cardiff. He gave her £l. He denied promising to marry her. He admitted, in cross-examination, that at Cardiff he agreed to marry her, and gave her an engagement ring. He wanted to marry her, but she refused.

The jury returned a verdict for Miss Bandon with £75 damages.