BREACH OF PROMISE.

Grey River Argus, 10 April 1912, Page 1

BREACH OF PROMISE.

SEAMSTRESS -SECURES DAMAGES ' ,' ■ • ' TWICE.- , ....

A young- woman' ; brought a second breach of promise action -against aman from whom she -had; previously received damages in Mr. Justice Coleridge's Court.- , "Plaintiff was Miss Louisa Grafton, agrcd S3, a seamstress,- ob Godolphin road, Shepherd's Bush, and defendant Jam< i s Brockhurst, aged 0?, a -widower with one child, employed as a care- -, taker in the city. From statements made by counsel and witnesses, it- appeared '• that ?inj 1 1909 Miss Grafton accepted a marriage ' proposal, but the engagement was bro» kon off. An action for breach' of promise was rough t, but this was settled out of court, Miss Grafton agreeing to accept .£27 7s in full settlement. On Christinas Eve, 1910, two days after this, there was a reconciliation. . He again proposed marriage, and again she accepted him. Eventually a dispute arose over the £27 damages. Fin-, ally on August 17th defendant broke off the eugagement. Mr. Wolfe (for plaintiff) said after the second engagement Brockhurst urged Miss Grafton to study cookery with a.fiew to her preparing lunches at h«s,i place. of. employment. l . When fhe question of returning: the £27 arose, ; Miss Grafton wrote: — j 1 received your letter last evening I and note you say you love me. If we. l marry I think love should come first. From your letter you only want money. If you break your promise to me j again, I shall go to New Zealand. 1 could not stay in England. . . 1 j leave everything to you to decide and for the third time I promise to return the damages paid last year. In reply Brockhurst wrote :— Dear Louie, — You speak about the money;, do you think it is fair to me? We want to understand one another, j You know, my girl, if you want anything you have only to ask me for ■■\Xr™-'- -■-■■■■— '-■■-'■ •■■'■;:—-: ■■■ ■------. -..- .1 Later he sent this note: — .1, want you to look after me, and I want to look after you. We must both pull the. same Avay, you know, and look after No. 1. Miss Grafton, in cross-examination, was asked about here intention of going to New Zealand, whereupon the judge remarked to counsel, "There are more gentlemen than ladies in New Zealand." (Laughter). Defendant said the second engagement was conditional on Miss Grafton returning' the j£27. Otherwise he could not afford to get married. Asked if, on the occasion of the second engagement ho made any formad declaration of affection, Brockhurst said he spoke to plaintiff. "Louie(he said) don't you think it fair to return the £27?" "(Laughter). The Judge: Was that a declaration of affection? (Loud laughter). The jury awarded Miss Grafton £25 damages, and judgment was entered accordingly with costs..