ALLEGED MISFIT.

Hawera & Normanby Star, Volume LXV, Issue LXV, 18 June 1913, Page 6

ALLEGED MISFIT.

DISPUTE OVER A DRESS

When the fair sex go to law in cases involving tae tic ox a costume, ttie proceedings are usually of more than ordinary interest. teach a case occupied tne attention of i\xr Q. U; iiettlej A.M., at the Magistrate's .tieurt, Auckland. Plaintiii was a dressmaker, Mrs Elizabeth Lilly Oooperj who claimed j 2Qs ior making a dress for Miss barah u»icha«l Dunn. Mr iVi-. Dillon Maiioney appeared for piamtiii^ «,na Mr Urunay '"• tlie Uetenaanc. 'ihe point at issue was tae iit oi: the dress, wliicn iMiss Dunn said was unsa«isfactorv, and which plaintiff offered to alter to fit il the def-endant would allow the opportunity, i'ornial evidence was given as to tue making and delivery ox the dress, which was taken away by the ueiendant, after having been fined on several times. it was when aerendant entered the witness-box that real interest in trio case began. She stated she was fitted eigMti _or nine times, but was never satisfied with it, as the dress was too tight. Mrs Cooper had admitted to her that sho cut the dress wrongly, and could not alter it at the second trying on. Sho said she had a new pattern, been worried, and could not alter it. The dress had oeen almost finished, then unpicked. Mrs Cooper told her to take it to another dressmaker. She waß sick of it. Witness had not worn the dress, and did not promise to pay for it. AV'hen the Magistrate asked a question about the defendant, she enquired sweetly, "Shall I put it on:-"' Mr Kettle agreed to tiie' proposal, and witness retired, to a room to exchange. Meanwhile the Magistrate had left, the bench, and during the few moments-after Miss Dunn returned the tWo solicitors, plaintiff and defendanthad a.discussion about the fit of the dress. - .: Mr Kettle, when he returned, said to.'defendant: "Please sjband down in front and turn round,", which 'request was carefully attended to, Whereupon the. Magistrate remarked: "I don't know much about dresses. What is wrong with it?" Mrs Cooper; I could alter it in half an hour, your Worship. Miss Dunn: Skirt won't hang right. Mr Kettle: I thought the fashion was now for tho waist to-be up under the arms. • Mrs Cooper: Miss Dunn wanted the waist higa up. Mr" Kettle: That is not a hobbleskirt. Witness: No, but it is too high. Mr Kettle: What is wrong with it? Now, don't all talk together. Mrs Cooper: 1 can let the skirt out.

Miss Dunn: There is nothing to let out.

Mrs Cooper: There is enough to let out.

Miss Dunn: You can't do it, Mrs Cooper.

Miss Mabel Gibson, dressmaker, was called, and gave her opinion that the skirt was not cut as it should have been. It should also have been darted.

Mr Kettle: Been what? Witness, smiling: Darted, sir. .Mrs Cooper: You can't dart a skirt of that kind.

Mr Kettle: We will adjourn tJie case and meet again in a fortnight. In the meantime Mrs Cooper must have n. chance to try and fit as you want it. " ■■