DRUCE CASE.

Dominion, Volume 1, Issue 49, 21 November 1907, Page 7

DRUCE CASE.

MORE OF MISS ROBINSON'S STORY.

A SEVERE CROSS-EXAMINATION.

WITNESS FAINTS. BY TELEGRAPH —PRESS ASSOCIATION —-COPYRIGHT. . (Rcc. Nov. 20, 10.47 p.m.) London, November 19. At tho further hearing of tho chargo of perjury against Herbert Druco, brought by Georgo Hollamby Druce, claimant to the Dukedom of Portland, the New Zealand witness, Miss Robinson, deposed that Charles Dickons, in 186S, introduced her to Druco at Welbock Abbey. Sho bccumo Draco's outsido correspondent. Mr. Plowden, tho Magistrate, remarked that ho thought Druce disappeared in 1864. Ho refused to admit tho partial copy of tho diary made by Miss Robinson when proparing hor evidonco.

Miss Robinson testified that sho heard from Charles Dickens in 18G9 that Thomas Charles Druco was tho Duko of .Portland. She tojd this to Druco, who was angry and would not listen; but in 1870 ho admitted it, saying he carried tho namo of Druce because ho had a wife of that name below his rank. Miss Robinson went to various places after 1870 at the Duko's instructions, ho visiting her at those f places. Sho had a misunderstanding with him in 1876, and he then paid her her earnings. Sho spent fire years in tho East, and in 1897 she went to New Zealand. • Witness was severely cross-examined. She stated that she knew this gentleman from 1868 onwards as Druco, whom sho had seen at Tunbridgo Wells and Richmond in 1862. Djuce nover told her that he pretended to dio in 1864. Sho was not awaro before sho arrived in England last February, that Druce, of Baker Street Bazaar, was supposed to have died in 1864. ' Witness further stated 'that sho stayed at Worksop, and recoived letters under cover.' Until she was aware of tho Duko's idontity she' called him Druco.

foho volunteered to give ovidenco in support of tho Druco claim. She did not arrango to receive expenses in the case, but expected to be paid hereafter. She had! received some little money on account. She denied knowing Caldwell (tho American witness) in Christchurch, New Zealand. She also denied knowing Grundy in New Zealand. Miss Robinson shortly afterwards fainted, and tho further hearing was adjourned till Thursday. AMERICAN CLAIMANT. New York, November 19. New York papers report that Mr. Calkins, a merchant of Millvillo, Now Jersey, claims the Portland ostates as a descendant of tho first Duke's eldest son, i who settled in America at the beginning of last century.