A QUEER CASE

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume XI, Issue 3550, 1 July 1890, Page 2

A QUEER CASE

A& Offer of Uarrlage In Court.

Mrs Clarke and her daughter, Miss Edith Clarke, residing at 7, Bridge Road, Battersea, were both summoned to Wandsworth Police Court on April 28, for detaining property belonging to a young man named Edward Botteral. The complainant jsafd ho had kept company with Miss Clarke with a view of getting married, He brought various things at different times, of the value of fourteen pounds, ■ and left them at the house of his ..future mother-in-lawfor her to take care of them, :Mr Denman: Was any day fixed for the wedding 1 Witness: No, sir, the day was not fixed. It wbj arranged that we should get married when we got all the necessary thing?. I bad resolved not to get married until I- could get. together a good home, The engagement oame to an end four weeks ago, all through the mother, I believe. Continuing, tho witness said: "I am willing to marry her now." (Laughter.) The complainant having repeated his willingness to marry Miss Clarke, she was asked by Mr Hanne, who represented her, if.she was prepared to accept his offer, lliaa Clarke replied iu a loud voice" No I" Mr Hsune mentioned that the complainant had repeatedly postponed the wedding, and had not been near the defendant for several months. The complainant denied that he made proseuts of the various things to the girl, Ho called Mrs Glynden, of Battersea Park Boad, who stated that Miss Clarke spoke to her of her marriage. She' stated she was going to run away and get married, and that "lie" had given her a dock. Witness told her to take the advice of an old womanleave home in the morning,, get married, and return in tho afternoon and say, "It is all over,"' (Laughter), Mr Hanne said the things were given to Miss Clarke in the shape of presents. He asked the Magistrate to decide a question of law —whether an infant (Miss Clarke being under age) could enter into a contract to receive the things. Mr Denman observed that if she was unable to enter into a contract to receive the things she could not detain them, Miss Clarke was called into the witness-box and denied having broken off the engagement. She said he did. Mr Denman; He says ynu did, Mr Haynes,' who represented the complainant, thought that if the summons was adjourned tho parties might come together again. (Laughter.) _ Miss Clarke, in answer to the magistrate, said she could not say if the things were given to her to form a home, They were given to her as presents. Mr Haynes read a letter which Miss Clarke had addressed to the complainant returning his portrait. He said she was evidently feeling cool towards him. In another letter she expressed herself a little warmer, for she saidRoses red and violets blue, The rose is sweet, and so are you. Bo are they who sent you this, When we meet we'll have a loss. Mr Haynes asked her if she felt like that now, and she answered in the negative. She added that she was not prepared to give up the things. Dr Dennun remarked that blankets and towels were peculiar presents to give to ft lady. " Presents to a lady generally took , the form of brooches, etc. He felt sure Miss Clarke would not oare to. have the things used by' another gentleman. Miss Clarke said ceitainly not, Mr Denman again urged her to'give up the presents, several of which were produced in court, amid, general laughter, but she, however,' -refused. ;In dealing with the case Mr Denman saidit was a thousand pities that the parties had been unable to come to an amicable arrangement, and. so have, prevented the case from being solemnly tried in a police court. Having regard-to the facts', lie made an order for tlie things to be given up, but expressed a hope : that' an, amicable* arrangement would be arrived at. On the application of Mr Haynes, who stated; that his client was willing to marry Miss Clarke now, the, magistrate granted' 281 (Hits, 9