PRESENTS C.O.D.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVIII, Issue 302, 21 December 1937, Page 9

PRESENTS C.O.D.

DELIVERY REFUSED. SOCIAL COLUMN HOAX. MARRIAGE ANNOUNCEMENT. ('Special.—By Air Mail.) LONDON, December 1. The arrival of a full-sized turtle, c.0.d., was the climax to three days of annoyance to Dr. William Dyson and Miss Mary Burnett, a Leek (Staffordshire) ) couple who were victims of a social column marriage announcement hoax. The doctor, without even inspecting his strange "wedding present," refused to accept delivery. Other gifts that arrived, to be paid for on delivery, include six wedding cakes, orchids worth £50, and a perambulator. Dr. Dyson said that he did not know definitely who had inserted the spuri- ' ous announcement of his "wedding," and added:— "I wish we could prove who it was. We believe, of course, that it is the same person with a distorted sense of humour who is sending all these ridiculous c.o.d. presents. "They haven't embarrassed us so : much as one might expect because we i have not accepted delivery." The hoax marriage announcement , stated that the wedding of Dr. Dyson • and Miss Burnett would take place at ; Leek Parish Church. An official denial ' was published. ! Miss Burnett, an attractive blonde, [ lives with her mother, who is the widow !of a former Leek doctor. Dr. Dyson > came from, London several years ago as t assistant to Dr. Burnett.

Miss Burnett acted as dispenser to [her father, and, after his death, continued the work ior lh^JJyson.