CLAIM FOR £2000.

Hawera Star, Volume XLVI, 13 November 1926, Page 6

CLAIM FOR £2OOO.

A PAKMER’S ALLEGATIONS. 03Y TKI.EGKA.PH-~PB.ESS ASSOCIATION.) NAPIER, Nov. 12. In the Supreme Court this, afternoon further evidence was taken in a claim for £2OOO by Walter Austin Orbell,. farmer, against Henry A. Mossman, financial agent, of Hastings. The grounds for the claim were alleged adultery between Mossman and Orbell’s wife. lan Gordon Stance, a shepherd on plaintiff's farm, gave evidence as to having known Mossman to be alone in the house with Mrs Orbell for an hour at a time. . Mrs Orbell was called for the plaintiff. Following an argument on a legal point, His Honor warned witness that she need not answer any questions landing to show she had committed adultery with Mossman, but that if she preferred to answer them she might do so. Mrs Orbell, under examination by Mr Lusk, admitted that there had been intimacy on several occasions between herself and"Mossman, who visited the house frequently when her husband was absent. An impropriety first occurred in June, 1925, and on other occasions up till November. Witness said Mossman had given her presents of Chinaware, underclothing and ordinary clothes. After Orbell had discovered what had being going on Mossman told witness that he was very sorry for what had happened and wished he had taken her advice and been careful. Mossman had said: ‘‘A man in love does not think of these things.” Replying to His Honor, witness said she did not expect to go back to her husband as the result of consenting to sign a statement containing the admissions.

Mr Gray, in opening the defence, said Orbell hail left his wife apparently on the slightest provocation, and had not "hesitated to bring her into court and expose her shame in order to extract from Mossman anything up to £2OOO. The defendant’s case consisted of an •absolute denial of the charges. The defendant stated in evidence that the allegations of Mrs Orbell that adultery had been committed, were false in every detail. Witness further said that plaintiff accused him of robbing him in connection with business matters, and threatened to murder witness. Orbell was a maniac for three hours, and it was not until lie had cooled down somewhat that lie accused the defendant of improper conduct with hi? wife.

Plaintiff struck Mossman and threatened to kill him, but the latter objected and said he would come round next morning to be killed. Plaintiff accused Mossman of being the father of Mrs Orbell’s youngest child. Mr Lusk (to witness): What you arc going to ask the jury to believe is that Tilrs Richards, Mrs Orbell, plaintiff and Stowe entered into a criminal conspiracy to extract money from your (locket? Defendant: Yes, I think so. If it is not. contempt of court I will say that I think the whole thing is blackmail. The ease was adjourned till tomorrow.