LATEST TELEGRAMS.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XLVII, Issue 8146, 2 July 1906, Page 2

LATEST TELEGRAMS.

A PECULIAR DOMESTIC STORY. o PEB FBESB ASSOCIATION. Auckland, July 1. A peculiar story was told to Mr W. G. Ruldell, S.M., in the Police Court, when a young man named Percy Frederick Bennetts was charged with failing to maintain his mother, Kate Elizabeth Bennetts. Mr Brookfield, who appeared for defendant, asked: " Had you any idea that you had a mother named Kate Elizabeth Bennetts ? " to which witness answered in the negatire. Mr Brookfield explained that the Gisbomc police had advised defendant for his own good to come and meet the charge when it came on, Mr Brookfield : "Do you know anything about this woman being your mother except what she tells youf " Defendant: " No, nothing." Mr Riddell: " Does she give you any proof?" Defendant: "No, she did not know me when she saw me first." Witness said that he had to borrow £lO from his mate to come to Auokland to meet the charge. Mr Bloomfield (for plaintiff): "Do you know Royal and Sydney Lance Bennetts P Are they your brothers and claimed by this woman as her sons ? " Defendant: " Yes, I heard so yesterday," Mr Bloomfield: "What is your father's Christian name? " Defendant: "He was always called 'Dolf.'" Mr Bloomfield: " Where is ho living ? " Defendant: "In Timaru." Mr Bloomfield: "When did you leave him ? " Defendant: "About three years ago." Mr Bloomfield: " Had he a wife ? " Defendant: " I cannot say. Not that I know of." Mr Bloomfield: " You were brought up to unlerstand that you had no mother ?" Defendant: " Yes," Mr Bloomfield: " After seeing the complaint, you were satisfied that she was you mother ? " Defendant: " I believed she was." Mr Bloomfield: "Do you say she is not? " Defendant : " I cannot ssy. I have no proof." Mr Bloomfield: " Did she tell you she was divorced ? " Defendant: " Yes." His Worship adjourned the further hearing of the case until Tuesday.