THE DRUCE-PORTLAND MYSTERY

Waikato Argus, Volume V, Issue 354, 15 October 1898, Page 5 (Supplement)

THE DRUCE-PORTLAND MYSTERY

Mks DKUCE received yesterday momma: the following communication from Messrs McArthur & Co., her solicitors : Dear Madham,—Re T. C. Druce.— We have the pleasure to inform you that the President of the Probate Division (Sir Francis Jeune) has to-day (Monday), after hearing counsel on both sides and the cross-examination of the witnese, made the order for the issue of letters of request to the Chancellor of the Consistory Court to issue a faculty for the opening to the grave.—Yours faithfully, F, G. McArthur and Co. A representative had an interveiw with Mrs Druce. "For five years" (said Mrs Diuce) "I have laboured incessantly to get evidence in support of my claim. I should not like to say how much money I have spent; and lam prepared to spend twice—ten times —as much to cany on my case to a successful issue. 1 ' Mrs Druce further stated that she hoped the vault in Highgate Cemetery would be opened in a few days Then, of course, would follow further law proceedings. " By Christmas, however," she continued, " my son will be the Duke of Portland, and, after nearly six years of never-ceas-ing work, I shall be able to have a long holiday. I think everybody will agree that I deserve one." finally, Mrs Druce said that in spite of every opposision she intended being present at the exhumation at Highgate. " After the collin has been opened I slull go over to Sydney and bring back my eon—the lawful heir to the Portland estates and titles —to England." Inquiries made go to show that everything will now turn upon the action taken by the legal advisers of the interveners. The order of the judge granting the letters of request has only been stayed for a few days, so that Mr Bargrave Deane might consider the desirability of appealing. If anything is to be done to stay the issue of the order, it will be incumbent on the part of the interveners to take action at once. Should they do so this it wiil open up another phase of the case, and not only will the hands of the Consistory Court be stayed pendiug the arguments before tiie Appeal Judges, but the matter will remain in abeyance over the Long Vacation. Provided no appeal is made against Sir Francis Jcune's decision, the order will issue and a further sitting of the Consistory Court will bo held, when Dr. Tristam, the Chancellor of the Di< cese, will grant the petitioner the faculty for the exhumation. —Morning.