A Peculiar Case

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LVI, Issue 186, 5 February 1914, Page 5

A Peculiar Case

STHANiiB MATRLMOXIAL TAN'ULE.

I'XRAYELLKI} IX SUPREME COURT.

TIIIC LATE BENJAMIN ENROTH. A MAX WITH MANY WIVES. Most people iu North Taranaki knew the lute Benjamin Enroth, or, at least, hud heard of him, for lie was a pj-olili-. writer to the. local newspapers, ami was more or lcs-s piomiiiently associated with several local activities. He wis a rabid anti-prohibitionist, and frequently came into collision with the nolicense advocates, and on one occasion took the platform in the Theatre Royal against Air L. At. Isitt. lie died ill 1911.

Some of his past life was revealed in the .Supreme Court, Xew Plymouth, yesterday. It wits shown that he was a professional bigamist, and that his real name was Thome. The name lie assumed, "Enroth," was the inversion of "Thorne," only with the transposition of the first two letters. His life history, if it could he gathered, would probably make as interesting—and tragic—a story as was ever woven by an imaginative novelist.

At the Court yesterday, Clara Berridge, of Xew Plymouth,* widow (who until comparatively recently believed herself to be the" widow of Benjamin Enroth), applied for an order to set aside a transfer from herself to Enroth of property which is now being administered by the Public Trustee as his executor, given when she believed herself to be bis wife. "

Mr ,J. 11. Qiiilliam represented Mrs. Berridge, and Mr A. H. Johnstone appeared for the Public Trustee.

The facts of the case were outlined by Mr Qiiilliam, In 1608 Mrs Berridge, then a married woman, resident in New Plymouth, purchased two acres of land, subject to a mortgage of £OOO. Her husband was then alive, but was in delicate health. She kept a nursing-home as a. means of livelihood. Subsequently her husband died. ENTER ENROTH. In October, WOO, a man calling himself Benjamin Enroth came as a convalescent to her home. It was subsequently disclosed, continued counsel, that bis true name was Ebeiiezer Thorne. He had transposed the letter of his surname .so as to road "Enroth,'' and taken the name of Benjamin. Later he made her a proposal of marriage, which she declined. He left her home, but continued to write to her. He came back again, and they were married. The certificate of marriage described him as "Benjamin Enroth,' aged 61 years, a settler and a widower." After the marriage Enrotli went to Sydney, ostensibly to see his daughter. Before leaving he gave his new wife £2OO. He returned in six weeks' time, and obtained from her not only the £200; but another £IOO on top of it. He also sold her cattle and furniture, and kept the proceeds. Six months after the marriage Enroth proposed that he should build two houses on the land owned by Mrs Berridge, and that to that end she should transfer the property to him, on the understanding that he should b> will bequeath it all to lier. On September 27 a transfer was accordingly signed, the consideration stated being "natural love and affection." At the same time Bnroth made a will bequeathing to thv plaintiff all his Xew Zealand property, which he sai<l was worth about £II,OOO. The property transferred was still subject to the mortgage of £6OO. Two years after the marriage with Mrs Berridge, Enroth built two houses on the land. He paid off the £6OO mortgage, but borrowed £745. A REVELATION.

In 1908 Mrs Berridge and Enroth went to Auckland to meet the latter's daughter, .Mrs Nicholl. Enroth and the daughter had a dispute, and the daughter said to Mrs Berridge; "You are not my father's wife. He has another wife in Brisbane." The plaintiff was much upset, but Enroth made a plausible excuse, which she believed, and the breach was healed again. The couple returned to New Plymouth, and lived at "The Grange," on the proceeds of the woman's orchard, poultry, etc. Enroth died on May 31, 1911.

THE WILL. Before he died, Enroth had a visit from a representative of the Public Trustee, and, in reply to a question from Mrs Berridge, this gentleman said that he had made a will for Enroth. Enroth then told her that it was in; her favor. Later he ordered another will to be made, but when this was sent, he was too ill to sign it. The first will which the Public Trustee made was proved, and its terms proved to be that all Enroth's personal estate went to Mrs Berridge. The real estate was left on trust to the Public Trustee, wlio was to p"ay her 30s per week from the interest, or, if this course could not be avoided, out of principal. After her death the property was left to one 11. H. Earle, or on his death to William A. Thorne an 3 Kate Nicholl. After Enroth's death the Trustee paid to Mrs Berridge 30s per week until November, 1912.

A BOMBSHELL. T.te Public Trustee then wrote to the Hon. O. Samuel, M.L.C., who was acting for Mrs. Berridge, stating that he had received an affidavit from a Attn of English solicitors which showed that Enroth had wrongfully obtained administration of the estate of Mrs Earle, whom lie had married while he already had a wife. lie had subsequently sent to JT. 11. Earle £3OO.

Till last October, continued Mr Qiiilliam, no money was paid to Mrs Berridge by the Public Trustco, but since then some bad been paid. Later th" Trustee, hint found out for himself that Enroth had ;> wife in Brisbane. Quoting an Australian affidavit before 'him, which he. handed into the Court, Mr. Quilliu.ni said that Enroth had lir-t married a Miss Kate Hoopell in England. She had borne him a, daughter, Mrs. Nicholl. lie and his wife came trf Australia. His wife died, and he married at Brisbane MUs Sarah E. Lane, who was still alive. He left her in 1003 and went to Ensfland, where he married Mis Earle. a widow. When she died he at once obtained possession of her means, came to New Plymouth, and married Mri Berridge, taking the name of, Enroth. The case, said Mr Quilliam, ivsolved it-elf into a question of equity. Mr John-tone agreed to accept tie affidavit of Mrs Thorne. of Bri-hane. ..s evidence of the fact of Enrotli liming had n living wife when/he married 31 ■■ 1 ISerridgf.