LIBEL AND BREACH OF PROMISE.

Temuka Leader, Issue 1824, 4 December 1888, Page 1

LIBEL AND BREACH OF PROMISE.

London, November 29. Miss Weidemann, a German governess, brought an action against - Mr Robert Horace Walpole, heir to the Earldom of Orford, claiming £I(|,000 damages for breach of promise of marriage, and libel in accusing her of theft of a ring. Defendant denieji the libel, and pleaded that the promise of marriage was not binding, having. been made in Turkey. The evidence showed that Mr Walpole became acquainted with plaintiff in Constantinople,, and deserted her after seducing her, A verdict was given for Miss Weidemanu wi-'h £7OO damages.

During the hearing of the case to-day in which Miss Weidemann brought an action against Robert Horace Walpole claiming £16,000 damages for breach of promise of marriage, the evidence showed that while residing at -Constantinople Walpole stole the key of Miss Weidomann’a bedroom and entering the robm forcibly seduced her. He subsequently denied the paternity of her child and went about traducing bis victim and blackening her character. He afterwards deserted her and left her in a penniless condition at Stamboul. The defence to the action was that it was an attempt to levy blackmail, and that'the plaintiff was a mere adventuress. As. already reported damages amounting to £7OO were, awarded to plaintiff. November;3o, The plaintiff in the breach of promise case against Walpole refused to answer questions relating to the birth of her child, and created a scene in Court, The judge directed a verdict to be found for ;t:he defendant, notwithstanding which the. jury returned one in favounoflhe plaintiff. A new trial is applied for,