THE DRUCE CASE.

Bush Advocate, Volume XX, Issue 936, 1 February 1908, Page 3

THE DRUCE CASE.

Press Assn l'»y t< lograph— -Copyright. LONDON, Yesterday. The- Dail-. Chi ;-.iii(-li> .;iv>: milix / Coorgc IL ii.ii-i'.y u-r G. Druce, Ll<!.. aro alih* u> continut' the civil action. Holla m hy Druce, irom the omsei, concealed the essential facts, and lias--o<3 his appeal for public support on deliberate reticence and misrepresentation. The Chronicle claims that ft possesses documents showing that Sheridan was associated Avith Anna Bruce' 9 claims until her ' litigation ceased ; that- he also sold for £200 to Trowinnard, who had Charles Edgar "Druce's power of attorney in London, certain information, which was expected to ho useful in supporting Edgar Druce's claim. Then in 1903 Trowinnard attended a conference with Hollamby and Cobwin in the chambers of 'a' hamster in London, and informed Hollamby lio was not the heir whito Edgar was alive. He thon resolved to cable to Edgar Druce's solicitor to renew his power of attorney which was granted Trewinnard in 1899. The reply referred thorn to a firm of solicitors in London who advised that the Druce family's claims were based upon insufficient evidence and were not worth pursuing. • Cobwin then went to Australia, and secured an agreement whereby Edgar Druce professed to transfer his rights, and then pledged himself not to interfere with Hollamhy's proceedings on condition of sharing tho spoil in the event of success. The only basis for the claim advanced was tho error in. Charles Crickmer Druce's marriage certificate, inasmuch as the bridegroom gave his father's name Henry instead of Thomas. Similar errors are made in thousands of certificates. The baptismal certificate proves the bridegroom was Thomas' son. Sheridan in March, 1904, joined Hollamby Druce Company and entered into an agreement receiving from Hollamby a commission note of 6£ per cent, on the property recovered, Cobwin promising 3. of the amount paid to Druce, hence tho formation in 1907 of tho Drucc-Portland company, which was formed into tho now Druce-Portland Company, to acquire Sheridan's assets. Sheridan sold illusory rights, and withheld his knowledge that if thoro was an heir it was Edgar and not Hollamby. The latter publicly dissociated himself in this flagrant flotation, but tho fact remains that his and Cobwin's action made it possible.