INTERRUPTED PROPOSAL

Greymouth Evening Star, 11 March 1933, Page 4

INTERRUPTED PROPOSAL

GIRL’S £2OO BREACH DAMAGES

LONDON, January 26.

The story of a proposal of marriage on a ’bus top—interrupted' by the con-ductor—-and renewed in a train, was told to Mr. Justice Du Parcq and a common jury in the King’s Bench Division yesterday. Miss Daisy Hoare, of Deanery-road, Stratford, E., brought an action for damages against Mr. Isaac Osborne Jones, who denied that he made any promise.

Mr. Fearnley Whittingstall, opening the case, said that in September, 1930, Mr. Jones became a lodger in the house of the plaintiff’s mother, and lie and Miss Hoare became very friendly. He used to take her to cinemas and' sometimes, on Saturday nights, to a theatre and supper. Miss Hoare used to sing under the name of Miss Margaret Frost. •On February 14,.-1931, she had an engagement at a West-end restaurant, and Mr. Jones accompanied her. On the way home they boarded an omnibus. The top being empty, they sat there alone. Mr. Jones put his arm round her waist and said, “You know I love you.” Miss Hoare replied, “Yes, I think you do.” He then asked, "Do you care enough for me to marry me?” and, having arrived at this interesting point, unfortunately the conductor interrupted by coming upstairs and demandingfares. The young couple got. off the omnibus and proceeded homeward by train. They secured an empty carriage, and Mr. Jones asked for a reply to his question. Miss Hoare admitted that she loved him enough to marry him. Arrivinghome, Mr. Jones told Mrs Hoare that he and “Daisy” had decided to get married.

The following July was suggested for the wedding. 'Miss Hoare later had reason to believe that she was about to become a mother. From that time Air. Jones became cold towards the girl, and finally declared that he was already a married man. Inquiries revealed that he was not in fact married.

“NOTHING IN ‘BLACK & WHITE.’”

Cross-examined by Mr. Dudley Collard, Miss Hoare said she did not know that Mr. Jones was engaged to a. Miss D. You never received any letters from him? —No, he said it was too incriminating to write, letters. He also said a man was a fool to put anything in black and white, as it could always be brought up against him.

Airs Charlotte Hoare, mother of the plaint iit. said that, when Mr. Jones told her ol the engagement. "I said if was no more than 1 expected, as 1 (.bought they were in love with one another.”

Ihe lather, Mr. Frederick John Hoare, in cross-examination, agreed now that, if was a very good thing the marriage did not take place. ,^1 - bollard said the defence was a, vomplelo ami emphatic denial of Miss Imre's story. ,\|| ( | l( , w)lj | ( , A[| . " ;lf ' •'■ b-dger in Mrs Hoare's bouse he was riiij.i-ri) to Alisa D and everybody in Ihr house knew ;| Mr Jone., and Alias Hoare never ( .we U h.ii.icd each other, accordiiii; to defendant

Mr. Jones, the. defendant, in the -wit-ness-box. said he now lived in Westroad, West Ham, E., and was 37 years

of age. While al Airs Hoare's house "Daisy" paid him considerable alien (ion. Air. Jones said hr had been engaged Io a. woman whose name he gave as a Alia;-- Davies, for three years, and intended to marry her. After various answers had been given, Air. Whitlingstall said to The defendant: "J suggest you arc a monu-

mental liar." Miss Ala,ry Davies, giving an address al Bow. E.. said she was engaged to .Mr. Jones, and had been for three years. Ghc had a business of her cm n The jury returned a. verdict for Miss Hoare, awarding her £2OO damages. Judgment was entered accordingly, with costs.