THE DRUCE CASE.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LI, Issue 40, 6 February 1908, Page 2

THE DRUCE CASE.

London, February -1. "Miss" Robinson, the -N't'"' Zealand witness in the; Druce case, luis made a iull confession of perjury. '•.Miss" Robinson went from Js'cw Brighton, near Clu'iatcnmch, where i>he had been known as Mrs. Robin Sou, and where lior daughter hud lived witli her. ller story was thaL slie had known tiie late Duke of I'ortland botli in his real character and as Druce. Slie hud a diary, giving full accounts of all her dealings witli the Mysterious Duke. This diary she conveniently contrived to havo "stolen" from her soon after her arrival in London. However, she hud a duplicate, though that proved of little use to her. She was nut allowed to produce it in Court. Someone who bad seen the original diary stated Unit the water r marks on the paper were of recent date, though the diary was supposed to havo been written ill the sixties.

CIVIL ACTION"DISMISSED. London. February J. The Daily Mail reporLs Hut .Master ,T. A. Bonner, in Chambers, dismivwl the civil action brought by George. Hollamby Druce against I.ord Howard de Waliien. claiming the estates which he (Lord Howard) had obtained from the Portland estite. Mr. Arnold Statliam, who appeared for Druce, gave notice of appeal. "MISS" ROBINSON'S GUILT. Pveceived sth, 10.45 p.m. London, February o. When the prosecution of "Miss" Robinson was resumed at the Bow street Court, Sir Charles Mathews, prosecuting counsel, informed the Magistrate (Sir A. lUit7.cn) that the prisoner made a full confession of guilt, thus confirming all material circumstances of his opening (statements cabled on the 2(!th. No details were divulged. The hearing was remanded for a week.

On the 20th Sir Charles Mathews stated that ''Miss" Robinson's husband worked as a shepherd at Worksop in IS7O. Both sailed for New Zealand in 1874, where llicy were residing at Waimate in 1575. ".Miss" Robinson was tlie mother of several children, including Mawle, born in 1881, who as "Maude O'Neill," appeared as a witness before Sir- Justice Plowden, but who never stated her real relationship. After the husband's death in 1884, "Miss" Robinson kept bonrding-howes, including one at New Brighton and another at lalsgvove street, CliristehuTch, until 1900. She bad been paid £3 17s weelily Since her arrival in England. Sir Charles said he had a witness from New Zealand mlio had known "Miss" Robinson since 1878. i