REMARKABLE WOMAN

King Country Chronicle, Volume XXVI, Issue 3446, 22 March 1932, Page 8

REMARKABLE WOMAN

GREAT COURAGE IN DIVORCE CASE. Sydney, March 9. Questions! Answers! Allegations! Denials! Words that for almost three "weeks clashed and echoed around the head of Mrs. Field in her divorce case.

"It is alleged, Mrs. Field—and will you deny, Mrs. Field ?" And through that merciless barrage Mrs. Field sat upright in the witnessbox, her clear, firm voice seldom faltered, her answers always decisive, always emphatic. Memories of that long cross-examination were recalled yesterday, when Mr. Justice Owen, during the address to Mr. Maxwell, K.C., referred to her as "a woman with an iron nerve."

No phrase could better describe her calmness when answering the ceaseless questions of Mr. A. B. Shand, K.C., and Mr. Maxwell, K.C. Once or twice her eyes filled with tears—but for the most part she did not falter.

The examination-i'n-chief lasted for more than 90 hours, and the crossexamination by Mr. Shand for 30 hours. With amazing energy she attended court every day throughout the hearing of the evidence, keeping voluminous notes in exercise books, and continually instructing her solicitor, Mr. Service. In the first 20 days, she was seen in 15 different dresses.

And then, at the end of each harassing day, all smiles, she would trip lightly from the court, surrounded by her legal advisers. In the street outside, a battery of curious, critical eyes would sweep her, but, undaunted, she would pass on, to return next morning, still smiling! "A type of woman uncommon to most judges, said Mr. Justice Owen. ,