BROKEN PROMISE TO MARRY.

Press, Volume LXIX, Issue 20906, 13 July 1933, Page 4

BROKEN PROMISE TO MARRY.

WIDOW AWARDED £SO DAMAGES. [THE PRESS Special Service.] WELLINGTON, July 12. For alleged breach of a promise to marry her, Margaret Dawson, a widow, of Wellington, claimed £250 damages in the Supreme Court to-day from Georfie Dawes, a stud groom, of Spring Creek, near Blenheim. The defendant admitted that in September, 1929, he verbally agreed to marry the plaintiff; but he said that later they mutually agreed to vary the agreement to marry, and to postpone the marriage until such time as he could dispose of his stud horse. He contended that he was always willing to marry the plaintiff down to the time that the action was brought, if and when he had disposed of the horse. Mr W. 11. Heine appeared for the plaintiff, and Mr A. A. Mac Nab (Blenheim) for the defendant. Damages Awarded. His Honour suggested, as a summary of the defendant's case, that at present he was wedded to the horse, and that until that marriage was dissolved he could not undertake another. (Laughter.) , . In giving judgment lor the plaintiff, his Honour said he had not the slightest doubt that when the marriage was postponed the defendant had in mind the disposal of the horse; but he was equally satisfied that the plaintiff did not agree to put the wedding off for an indefinite period. The marriage had not taken place. The defendant had broken his contract, and for so doing he must pay damages. It was very difficult to say what was a fair amount to award, but he thought he would be doing justice by awarding £SO, with costs.