DENNISTOUN CASE

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LVI, 7 March 1925, Page 5

DENNISTOUN CASE

PLAINTIFF IN THE BOX

RAKING CROSS-EXAMINATION OF MRS DENNISTOUN

(By Electric Telegraph.—Copyright.) (Australian & N.Z. Cable Association.)

LONDON, March 5.

Mrs Dennistoun, who is claiming from her divorced husband, Lieut.-Colonel lan Onslow Dennistoun, the sum of £IOB9. representing loans of moneys borrowed on behalf of his debts, was to-day subjected to raking cross-examination as to ner relations with men, other than Sir John Cowans. She- denied telling her maid she had a- good time at Budapest with Prince. Bela Odescalchi, or that she made. a. selection from her husband’s letters in order to put the screw on him. Sir Edward Marshall-Hall: "If your claim is invented in the hope that Lady Carnarvon will pay anything in order to stop tlie case, do you still say your claim is not disgraceful?” Witness: "But the claim is not invented.” Witness denied telling hex husband she committed misconduct with a young officer who was killed in action in France. She admitted she became engaged in 1921 to a Spaniard named Bolin, who was connected with tlie League of Nations at, Geneva. Her divorce at that time was almost through. Lady Carnarvon, who was a close friend, tried to dissuade her from marrying Bolin, who was five years younger. She had not lived with Bolin prior to 1921. There was no impropriety when Bolin stayed with her. The bungalow at Bexhill was provided for by Sir John Cowans, who was then absent. She did not stay with Bolin at Geneva as All’s Bolin. Her relations with Bolin began at a. Swiss mountain chalet in April, 1921. A long series of most indelicate enquiries followed, witness denying the statement, that she and her husband never consummated the. marriage or that they were detached while she was associating with Sir John Cowans. Other questions related to her association with Bolin before her divorce, also her consequential conditions. She denied she told her husband she contemplated an operation. Her relations with Bolin caused no rupture, with Sir John Cowans.

Counsel: Sir John Cowans bought you. The price was your husband's preferment.

Witness: "I am afraid that is rather true.”

She added she did not lay herself out to captivate Sir John Cowans. Iler husband knew the position. She. did not tell him she committed herself with Sir John Cowans and that was the only way to hold him. It was untrue she deliberately became Sir John Cowans’ mistress and that her husband could not control her. She had no relations with Bolin before Sir John Cowans death. She met. Bolin in Barcelona on a business visit. When in Barcelona she received a telegram from the General saying he was coming to see her. She wired back, “Do not come, because I am expecting my brother-in-law.” She told her husband she wanted to marry the Spaniard, because their life was unhappy and better ended. Her husband agreed. Witness, who was 14 hours in the box, displayed fatigue late in the afternoon and sank into a- chair and the cross-examination was adjourned. The young officer mentioned above was Senhousc, who went to Australia before the Dennistouns left for Jamaica. Senhouse returned, joined the Coldstreams in France and was killed a week later.

Plaintiff denied -saying she would elope with Senhouse to Australia, if he had not been killed. She could not explain whv ho was devoted to her. LONDON, March 6.

Mrs Deiinistouii during the course of cross-examination, stated that- she inherited £IO,OOO from her grandfather. She admitted that she accompanied Colonel Inncs and a, lady on a- motor tour of Spain for the purpose of collecting antiques for disposal in London, where she started business. She explained that Colonel Innes and Major Paget sold horses to: Lord Carnarvon which were unsatisfactory. One was lame and the other bucked off a groom. Lord Carnarvon returned the horses, depriving witness of commission. She stated that Cowans, when dying, asked to see her. She denied telling Lady Carnarvon that Cowans was with her frequently at the War Office ,and dined with her in a private room of the Cafe Royal. She was Cowans’ mistress for four years. The liason was well-known in society. Cowans was 30 years older, and, she added, ‘T think the sacrifice was on my side.”