BREACH OF PROMISE.

Taranaki Daily News, 18 August 1922, Page 4

BREACH OF PROMISE.

ACTION BY A GRANDMOTHER. NO DAMAGES GIVEN. By Telegraph.— Association. Auckland, Last Night. An action for £lOOO damages for alleged breach of promise to marry, brought by Emily Stewart, of Parawai. against ’Thomas Edward Tasker, hotelkeeper, of Thapies, was heard in the Supreme Court. The jury, after 20 minutes’ retirement, found there had been a contract; that defendant broke the contract, but that no damages ibe awarded to the plaintiff. For the plaintiff it was alleged that, after becoming engaged, defendant cooled off and became engaged to another woman.

In cross-examination complainant admitted she had eight children and eight grandchildren. Defendant had proposed to her in her house in March, 1919. She laughed at him because she had only known him a week, and that was too soon.

Counsel: When next did he propose ? Complainant: Oh, he proposed every day; that’s the kind of man he is. In his evidence, defendant admitted he had become engaged to complainant, but that when he asked her to be married she dMn’t appear to take any notice of it. He bought her rings costing £lB, £25, and £5O. Towards the latter part of the engagement he went to see complainant several times, but she wasn’t at home. He felt he wasn’t wanted and stayed away. There was another man she apparently preferred. He dmitted certain letters written to the other woman, and that he was engaged to her. He also admitted he had been engaged to several women. His Honor reserved leave for complainant’s counsel to move for a new trial.