A MOST ROMANTIC LAW SUIT.

Tuapeka Times, Volume V, Issue 230, 27 June 1872, Page 5

A MOST ROMANTIC LAW SUIT.

A case of most remarkable character has just been tried in the Rockhampton sittings of the Queensland Supreme Court, which is remarkable even in these days, when extraordinary law cases are becoming quite common. In this case John Rose Prandon brought an action of ejectment against the occupants of some land iv East street, Rockhampton, which he claimed as the property of his wife, being inherited by her from her father, George Quigley, otherwise George Harris de Rusett. Tre defendants to the action, the occupants of the ground, merely claimed under a possessory title, so that the case wholly turned on the ability of the plaintiffs to make out their claim. Their case was, that Quigley deserted his wife in 1822, and went to India, where he engaged in the service of the King of Oude, his duties being to look after the royal wardrobe, and trim tbe kingly beard. He assumed the name of de Russett, and was first known by Brandon under that name. Brandon was aide-de-camp to the King, and besides his pay of 500 rupees a month, was allowed twenty-four bearers and five horses — in addition to which he kept fifteen servants. He, many years later, married a daughter of De Russett, and afterwards learned from her that their name was really Quigley. Some time after, returning to h ngland with her husband and father, in the suite of the Queen Dewager of Oude, Mrs Brandon went to see an old aunt, and was recognised by a mark on her neck, on seeing which the aunt exclaimed, " Yes, it is little Mary ! " She then asked where her mother was buried, and was surprised to learn that her father was yet alive in Northamptonshire, under the name of Jennison. About the same time her fa* her married again, and his new wife taunted Mrs Brandon with being illegitimate. This annoyed ncr fatter and husband ; and to put the matter beyond doubt, the question was investigated and statutary declarations were obtained, which thoroughly established her legitimacy. On this, the relatives of De Russett' s wife threatened to prosecute him for bigamy, and to avoid this he came to New Zealand, subsequently going to Queensland, and purchasng the property forming the matter of the action. He also went to India with Brandon to prefer a claim agauiat the Indian Government, for compensation, which was granted. De Russett and his first wife had since died, and Brandon now sought to recover the property as having fallen to his wife as the sole heir toDe llussetr. There was, indeed, a son left in India, but he had disappeared for years, and there seemed to be no doubt that he had been killed in the Cawnpore massacre. The case was most intricate and complicated, and involved matters of a very curious nature, but after three days' hearing, the jury consideied that the claim was subs' antiated, and gave a verdict for the plaintiff.