A LONDON CLUB SCANDAL.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XVII, Issue 5794, 12 June 1880, Page 7

A LONDON CLUB SCANDAL.

he action of Skipton v. Kowley has been recently sried fcefore the Master of the Dolls. The plaintiff, Mr. Skipton, had been a member of the Naval and Military Club for ten years, and at the beginning of last year he joined the new Hanover Square Club. One night ho invited a friend to dine with him at their club. After dinner the two began to play cards, and when a number of games had been p'ayed a member, ■who, it is stated, was a ''troublesome" member, called attention to tbe fact that the plaintiff's friend was drunk. Mr. Skipton put it to the room whether such was the case, and they decided that it was not. The game then went on, and in the end Mr. Skipton won £7000 or £SOOO. The matter was brought before the club, which expelled Mr. SUipton in consequence. The Naval and Military Club afteiwaids called on Mr. Skipton for an explanation, and ultimately they also expell- d him He now brought his action against the Naval and Military Club. George Alexander Fraucis Skipton, the plaintiff, said— I was formerly in the 19th JReginient. On the 7tn February, 1579. I attended a meeting of the committee of the Naval and Military I lub. No charge or statement of any kind had been made to me. The chairman asked me what 1 had to say. I told them how unfairly I had been treated by the Hanover Square Club, that no charge had been made, and that I had not heard the evidence. I was met by cries of " Irre'e vact," and that they had nothing to do with tbe Hanover Square Club. I was silenced, and then a ked if I had been expelled that club. I said I had. I had no opportunity afforded me of explaining why I hill b en expelled. Before I went out of the room I was asked if I bad anything more to say. I did not repeat what 1 had said before, because I had been stopped. The noxt thing was that I had notice of my expulsion. In cross-• xamination plaintiff said Major ham, It. A., was chairman of the committee of the Naval and Military Club. He did not tell me that the charge against mo was that I had bten expelled from the Hanover Square Club for Laving won at cards a large sum of money from a friend who wa3 drunk. It came out in the course of the meeting Major Wortham ask- d if it was true. I don't know that he mentioned the exact grounds. They were before the committee, 1 was aware. He may have aske I me whetrerl had taken any proceedings against tbe Hanover Square Club committer iu re spect of the matter. I did intend and do intend to take sneh proceedings. I did not say all I had to say to the committee of the A'aval and Military Club. I was prevented from saying anything ia every way except by actual violence. Proceedings against the Hanover Square Club are iu coutemplatioo. Ke examined—l issued one writ on a charge of slander against the person who made the charge orii>iually. I dropped it for reasons which my solicitor .advised, and which I considered sufficient. Fur the defence Mr. Davey, Q C.. called a3 evidence Major Hall Young Wortham, 11 A., who said —I have been chairman of the Nival and Military Club about s'x years. 1 presided at a meeting of the committee on the 7th February, 1579. When Mr. Skipton was called in I taid to him Is it true or not that you have been expelled from the Hanover Square Club for having a gentleman to diue with you, and afterwards winning from him £7000 or£SUOO at ecarte?" He did not reply immediately. 1 then asked, " Were you or not expelled from the Hanover Square Club ?" and he answered, " Yes." I had a copy of the minute* of resolution of the Hanover Square Club before me. I then asked him, " Are there any proceedings pending, or have you taken any Jepal proceedings ogainst the Honover Square Club for eipeliing you ? ' and he said, "No." I asked him if he had anything to say or explanation to offer, adding, "The committee wdl glad to hear anything you have to lay." He then addressed the committee for nearly a quarter of an hour. He was not interrupted until he entered on matters wh.ch 1 considered outside the ease. I did it as politely as I could. He then bowed, and left the room. I do not re member anything more taking place. He did not ask that we should adjourn for the purpose of his producing o'.her gentlemen before us. Cross-examined by Mr. Ince, Q.C. The matters which he considered irrelevant related to the action of the committee of the Hanover Square Club. Mr. Skipton stated that they were harsh and nnfair towards him in expelling him. Plaintiffs application was dismisstd with costs.