THE DRUCE CASE.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume L, Issue 61, 21 November 1907, Page 3

THE DRUCE CASE.

ANOTHER CLAIMANT. New York, November 19. New York papers report that Calkins, a merchant of Slillville, New Jersey, claims the Portland estate a* a descendant of the first Duke'e eldets son, who settled in America at the beginning of i last century. THE DIAL IDENTITY. MISS ROBINSON'S EVIDENCE. Received Nov. 20, 10.23 p.m. l/indon. November 20. Miss Robinson testified that she heard from Charles Dickens in 18fi!) that Druce was the Duke of Portland. She told Druce, who was angry and would not listen, hut in 1870 he admitted'it, saying he carried the name of Druce because he had a wife of that name Mow his rank. Miss Robinson said she went to various places after 1871 at the Duke's instructions, he visiting her at those places. She had a misunderstanding with him in 1870, and he then paid her earnings. She spent five years in the East, and in 1897 went to New Zealand. The witness was severely crossexamined. She stated she knew this gentleman from 1868 onwards as Druce. whom she had seen at Tunbridge Wells and Richmond in IWI2. lie never told heT he pretended to die in 1804. She was not aware before she arrived Sn England last February that Druce. of Baker Street Bazaar, was supposed to have died in 18T4. She stayed at , Worksop to receive letters under cover. ( Until she was aware of the Duke's , identity she called him Druce. She Volunteers the evidence that she j did not arrange to receive her expenses hi the case, but expected to be paid here- ' after. She had some little money on account ' She denied knowing Caldwell in | Christchnrch, New Zealand, or Grundy ■ In New Zealand. ' Miss Robinson shortly afterwards 1 fainted. The hearing was adjourned till Thursday.