“Miss Snake-in-the-Grass”

Taranaki Central Press, Volume IV, Issue 368, 24 February 1937, Page 8

“Miss Snake-in-the-Grass”

‘WHK SHOULD A GIBL NOT TKMM' A MAN WITH GIFTS? Mr Justice Swift, at Swansea, told counsel in a breach, of promise case not to mention the name of “the other woman,” but to call her ‘‘Miss Snakei the-Grass.” “That is good enough for her/’ he commented. “And we will refer to the man with whom she was friendly as ‘Her Boy Friend.”’ The case was that in which Nesta Cotty, aged 42, of Column road, Cardiff, said that Rex Lewis, Employment Exchange clerk, had proposed while a boarder at her house. Then, she alleged, he broke it off for a younger woman. She denied to Mr Jenkin Jones (for Lewis) that she was “out to catch the man.” “Oh! Let us assume she was,” put in Mr Justice Swift. “The question the jury and I have to determine is: ‘Did she catch him?’ Why shouldn’t she?’ ‘‘You know in these days the wrong is not all on one side. If she saw a young man she fancied, why shouldn’t she tempt nim with gifts?” Replying to the judge, Miss Cotty |Said she bought Lewis about a dozen silk shirts and silk underwear. ; The judge: I think silk underwear would be very fetching, would it not? Tell me, Mr Jenkin Jones, did a lady .ever give you silk underwear? , Mr Jones: No, My Lord. But I am still living in hope. But if I should ■receive such a gift, I hope it will not result in my being sued for breach of promise. The judge: But if the gift of silk underwear makes you fall at the lady’s feet and promise marriage then you might find yourself here. Miss Cotty, in further cross-examina-tion, said she had previously brought an action for breach of promise against another man—also named Lewis. That action was settled out of court for £250, and payment was made by instalments. After more evidence counsel conferred. A settlement was reached, and judgment was entered accordingly.