WRESTLER’S LOAN TO WOMAN

Greymouth Evening Star, 6 May 1940, Page 10

WRESTLER’S LOAN TO WOMAN

A SUCCESSFUL CLAIM

SYDNEY, April 24

Jonathan Heaton, of Campbell Parade, Bondi, better known as “Brother 'Jonathan,” American wrestler, was plaintiff in an action before Judge Clancy in the District Court yesterday. He sought to recover from Claire Mason, also of Campbell Parade, Bondo, £ll3 balance, alleged to be due under a promissory note.

The defence was a denial of indebtedness.

Plaintiff said he went to the surgery of Mr. Wasley, dentist, at Bondi, to have his teeth attended to, and became friendly with Wasley and Miss Mason, who was Wasley’s secretary. Wasley suggested that plaintiff should buy a partnership with him for £l5O. Wasley said he would like to equip another surgery. Plaintiff agreed to let him have .the money. Wasley told him that, as he was a sick man, he had placed everything in Miss Mason’s name. He (Heaton) drew a cheque, for £l5O, and handed it to Miss Mason, who said she would rather have the cash. He cashed the cheque and handed the amount in notes to Miss Mason who gave him a promissory note. Wasley agreed to pay plaintiff 10 per cent, interest.

Heaton said he went to Honolulu, and when he returned he mentioned the promissory note to defendant, and she remarked, “Anyone who lends money is taking a sporting chance.” Replying to questions, Heaton said that Wasley and Miss Mason were always very good to him, and had been the best friends he had had in Australia. Tie had never signed a contract for a wrestling match in Australia. Ted Thye, of Portland, Oregon, who controlled wrestling in Australia, 'had sent him out here. Claire Mason said that when Heaton was about to leave for New Zealand on a wrestling tour, he told her and a man named Daly, who owned the premises next door to Wasley’s rooms, that he wanted to put some money into a business. Hq asked whether Daly’s building would he suitable for a dentist’s business. Later, he handed her £l5O in notes and told her to give it to Daly as his (Heaton’s) interest in the business. He also arranged that she was to look after his (Heaton’s) interest, and to purchase dental equipment. The business failed. She took no active part in it's conduct. Daly ran it while she continued as Wasley’s secretary. Shortly after Daly committed suicide. Plaintiff told her that he did not want to take money out of the country. He also told her he was going to seek a divorce, and did not want to have much money in his bank account. He said that he wanted to avoid taxation. Plaintiff was very loving towards her, and wanted her to* marry him. She told him that he already had a wife, and that she (Miss Mason) had not love for him.

After Daly’s death, the assets of the bqsiness were sold, continued defendant. Half the proceeds went to Daly’s estate, and the remainder was paid to her on behalf of Heaton. She received £52, which she handed to Heaton. No money was advanced to her for her personal use. His Honor remarked that the evidence was overwhelmingly in plaintiffs favour, and entered judgment for plaintiff for £ll3.

“Why is that woman so nice to the hotel clerk?”. “He’s written ‘spite opposite her name in the hotel register.” Dentist: There’s no need for you to shout. I haven’t touched your tooth yet. Patient: No, but you’re standing qn my corn.