A TALE OF A TOMCAT.

Auckland Star, Volume XXX, Issue 160, 8 July 1899, Page 5 (Supplement)

A TALE OF A TOMCAT.

At Bow-street Police Court, London, a few weeks ago, an amusing action hi.connection with a tomcat was heard by His Honor Judge French, Q.C, .The plaintiff, Mr John Brlerly, an agent, of Ley ton, shed Mr C. F. Skelton, a veterinary surgeon, for the return of a tomcat entrusted to '-Ma care, or £10 damages for the loss./ ._.......

Mr Lumley, solicitor, represented the plaintiff, and _-r~Gt. S. Haynes, SoH__to_. appeared for the defendant.

Plaintiff stated that in December last he aud his wife went away for a holiday. Witness arranged with the defendant to taKe charge of his dog and cat at so. much p* week. Upon return he received only the dog back. He asked defendant where the cat was, and he replied It had escaped f*om its cage. (Laughter.) Plaintiff gave him a week to find It, saying that It must be found, as his wife was very much attached to It. (Laughter.)

Defendant offered a reword aft follows:^

"Fi%-e Reward.—Loeit; on Wednesday, December 28, a black; tow cat. Answers to the name of 'Dlddy.* White chest, white.hind legs, and white amblers.' (Roars of laughter.) . ' ,' '.

His Honor: What was the value.of the cat? ...

Plaintiff: It was not a valuable cat, hut £10 is the amount to compensate roy. -wife for the loss. (Laughter.) , ) . i •

Mr Hnynes: That is a sentimental value. (Loud laughter.) • ■ ,\ ~vr i

Plaintiff: We have no children', ahdjny wife was very fond of it. (Renewed laughter.) .

Mr Haynes: Now, didn't the defendant do all he possibly could to recover the cat? Plaintiff: Not in my opinion. ■. :\- Mr Haynes: But he brought a cat back? Plaintiff: It was not the same Cat; It was a similar one. (Laughter.)

Mr Haynes: But your wife w,a_ not quite sure about that. (Laughter.) '";'-'. ' , "

Plaintiff's wife gave evidence, and in reply to Mr Haynes said she was sure the cat defendant sent, her was not her "Did. dy." (Laughter.) v Mr Hnynes: Remember, It wa^T foujf months later; "Dlddy" may have forgotten you. Witness: "Dlddy" had a white chin, thi one he brought back had black. (More laughter.) j ,; . . : .. Mr Haynes: You wanted HDiddy," and no other. (Laughter.) Defendant's wife was. worn, and tald they took In cats and dogs as patients, and also minded them. They took- every care of this eat, but It managed to escape. ; Mr Haynes: I am afraid, your. Honor, tomcats do go astray at times..; (Roars' tit

laughter,) . , v ' Plaintiff: The man who had charge of It had been "Chrlstmasslng," and ■ let. It escape. (Continued laughter.) '.'•<:■ ".•„.' His Honor gave judgment for the defendant, with costs. - -