MRS. ROGERSON'S EVIDENCE. Confession of Adultery with Foster.

Te Aroha News, Volume IV, Issue 170, 18 September 1886, Page 2

MRS. ROGERSON'S EVIDENCE. Confession of Adultery with Foster.

Mrs Rogerson (some of whose evidence Tshall have to give verbatim), is a well-preserved elderly lady, of the sort to whom "a dish of scandal" i 6 the most delightful meal possible. She spoke with entire self-possession, and even ■when under severe cross-examination, remained cool and collected. Mrs Rogerson commenced by describing how in 1884, she went and called on Mrs Crawford, at the latter's request, and found hor in very low spirits. Mrs Crawford almost at once confessed to having committed adultery with Sir C. Dilke, but the story she told was so incredible and incomprehensible, that the •witness scarcely knew whether to believe it or not. At her (Mrs Rogerson's) house, Mrs Crawford frequently met Capt. Foster. After Mrs Crawford left her husband, Capt. Foster gave the witness a letter to forward to the unfortunate lady. It was in a blank envelope and un-addressed. (Letter produced.) Sir W. Phillimore (for the Queen's Proctor) asked 'that the letter might be read, b\it Mr Matthews (for Mr Crawford) successfully opposed the application. It was handed into the body of the Court, where Mr and Mrs Crawford looked over it together, a lawyer sitting between them. Sir W. Phillimore then asked whether Mrs Crawford confessed to committing: adultery •with ether men besides Sir C. Dilke. Mr Matthews promptly submitted that tho question was irrelevant, but the Judge allowed it. Sir W. Philliraoro : Has MM Crawford made confessions to you with regard to other men?— Xea. More than once?— Yes. Was or was not one of these Captain Foster t^~ Am I right to mention names ? Question repeated.— Yes. I won't go into other names. There wove as a matter of fact other names ? — Yes. I mean confessions of adultery ?— Yes. Were those confessions made before or after thest&tcraent with regard to Sir C Dilkc ?— s f ter. Was it before she separated from her husband? Yes. * • Can you give mo the date when aho made these confession swith regard to Captain Foster? —In the winter of 18&1.