A SISTERS' QUARREL

Evening Star, Issue 14514, 4 November 1910, Page 4

A SISTERS' QUARREL

MR BUSH-KING'S CHARACTER AS PERSED AND VINDICATED.

This morning Mr W. C. MacGregor brought beforo Mr Justice Williams a matter' that has been standing over for months. On tho 22nd June the Court was occupied with the action of Harriet Golding Fuller and her husband, Mr Humphrey Fuller, against Annie King, wife of Thomas E. King, a claim for damages for the wrongful seizure of furniture imder a bill of sale. There was also a counter-claim on the two promissory note given in connection with the samo transaction. A considerable amount of evidence was taken, and tho further hearing then adjburued, but beforo the Court/ rose His Honor suggested to Mr Callan (counsel for Mre Fuller) that ho should look into the evidence to see if it was worth while continning the aific. Mr MacGregor said that as nothing had been done since, and the defence was not insisted on, Mrs Fuller not appearing, he assumed that he was entitled to ask for judgment for Mrs King in both cases. Mr MacGregor added: But that is not the solo reason for being hero to-day. Mrs Fuller mado an attack not only on her sister, but on her lister's «>n, Mr BushKing, and during the case an extraordinary'letter was .put in-a letter which it was shown in evidence was written by Mrfi Fuller to Mr Ruasell, a clergyman m the North Island. The charges made in that letter wero repeated on oath by Mrs Fuller, and she- insisted that they were true, and enlarged upon them. That has had a very unfortunate effect. Mr BushKing is studying for holy orders, and is now assistant to Canon Curaon-Siggers at St. Matthew's, and looking after the spiritual interest* of the cavalrymen in camp at Waitati—in short, acting as a curate of the Church of England. These, charges, naturally enough, have got, to the ears of tho Church. Tho Bishop says that ho has been made aware of tho charges again*!- Mr Bush-King--ami knows that his aunt, has even gone so far as to charge him with forging these promissory notes—and His Lordship says that until the charges have been cleared away ho cannot restore Mr Bush-King to his favor; but the Bishop was good enough to say that if Mr Bush-King vindicated his character in open court, and the vindication wen published in the Press, lie would rcstoif him to favor. There are two points—r.s lo the alleged forging of the promissory notes and the charges. _ against his moral character and ecclesiastical film™.

His Honor: You can call Mr Bush-King if vou lik-:-.

Mr MacGregor: Very well, your Honor. Charles John Rush-King, being sworn, said : I. am assistant to ('anon CurzonSiggors as a. lay reader. 1 am studying for the Church of England ministry. I am at present chaplain to the cavalry camp at Waitati. Mrs Fuller is my mother's nister. That is her signature to the letttr produced, addressed to the Rev. J. Rus-s-cll, dated April D, 1910. (Letter handed to the Judge.) Mr MacGregoi' : In the course of her evidence, Mr* Fuller—you were in court and heard her evidence—she made a munber of very grave charge* against you, both in her letters to Mr Russell and in her sworn testimony. You heard those changes '! Witness : Yes. sir. Are thev true? -They are not,

lt> there one word of truth in them'.' - No word of truth in them.

Mr MacGregor : That is all the evidence .[ propose to offer, your Honor, ami I asked for judgment for the defendant in Fuller v. King and for the plaintiff in Kins' v. Fuller. Hiti Honor : I give judgment for the defendant in Fuller v. King, with ecstß :\p per scale on the amount claimed. I am not «> wire alwut judgment in the other case. It was not called on, you know.

Mr MacGregor : We can prove the promissory notefi now. Hit? Honor : Yes: you have, to prove them.

W.in. John Houston, clerk to Moore, Moore, and Nieol (the instructing firm), said that he saw Mrs Fuller sign the two promissory noteu; and Annie King deposed that they had never been paid. His Honor thereupon gave judgment for plaintiff ai& prayed. Mr MacGrogor : Does your Honor not propo.se to fay anything about the charges made against Mr Butsh-King? It its a mater of great importance to him to have his character openly cleared. His Honor : As the matter comes before me in the court there iiAabsolutely nothing against him. 1 should be very sorry to believe the statements in that letter. ilr MacGregor : So long as your Honor jV. satisfied, and we can tell the Bishop that you are satisfied that there is nothing in tho charges against Mr BushKing, that ic nitiicient. His Honor : .So far as T can see, there ii nothing against him. Mr MacGregor : 'Thank you, sir.