DISGRACEFUL CONDUCT OF A MOTHER.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XX, Issue 6829, 6 October 1883, Page 2 (Supplement)

DISGRACEFUL CONDUCT OF A MOTHER.

In the Chancery Division, Eublin, before Sir Edward Sullivan, Master of the Rolls, the extraordinary case oi Nunn v. Little was heard, in which it was sought to recover from the defeudant, Mr. Simon Little, who had been laud agent over the Nunn property in the county of Wexford, tbe family jewels, consisting of diamonds, emeralds, and personal ornaments, estimated at £4500, with £500 damages. The late Mr. Edward Westley Nunn was the original plaintiff in the suit, which was commenced in 1879, and he claimed under the will of his mother, who died December 26. 1573 It was alleged that whilst Mr. E. W. Nunn was confined in a lunatic asylum at Hammersmith, the defendant induced him to write to his mother asking to have him appointed joint executor to her will, promising if he did to get him released from the asylum. On the faith of that promise he complied, and Mr. Little was appointed co-executor. The defendant obtained probate, and, iu his capacity of executor, obtained possesion of the jewels. | Mr. Little's defence was tbat he gave the jewels to the plaintiffs wife, who signed a receipt for them, and subsequently to bis release from the asylum Mr, Nunn ratified I the act. It appeared that iu IS7S a rule nisi for a judicial separation between Mr. and Mrs. Nunn was made on the wife's petition by the English Matrimonial Court; bnt it [ was previously to that event and dnring her \ husband's confiuemunt in the lunatio asylum [ that the jewels were given to Mrs. Nunn. Mr. Lorenzo N. Nunn now sued as executor of the will of the late Mr. E. W. Nunn, whose son Richard, as x-ssiduary legatee, becomes |. entitled to tho jewels in the event fit succeeding. Mrs. Emily C. Nunn, widow of the late Mr. E. W, Nunn, was examined by Mr. j Serjeant Hemphill. Cross-examined by Mr. j Jellet: Look at these letters (produced), and tell me whether they are in your handj writing» Mrs. Nunn :I _ appeal to your t Lordsbip not to allow this. These letters j were written a year after this occurrence. - My husband never knew of their existence, [ and they are only brought forward now to I prejudice yon against me. Mr. Jellet said he proposed using these letters with the view ( of showing that the witness was not worthy [ of credit on her oath. His Honor said it t was clearly counsel's right to cross-examine out of documents in witness's handwriting, j Mr. Jellet: Just lißten : "I have seen Dick." . Is that your Bon ? Yes. " Andhetells Mrs. [ Bill." Who is that ? My sister. " Did tell my husband, and he intends to bring • poor Elfrida's ease up against me.in the Divorce Court, as a means of reducing the income to be given me." Was that letter addressed to Mr. Alexander Henderson? I cannot say. Who is "my dear Hen. ?" Is not that Mr. Henderson ? It is. He is a gentleman I met at my sister's, Mrs. Sothern's, twenty-five years ago. Is ho a gentleman connected with the Folly Theatre ? , He was. Then you continued—" Tho plea being that I am not a fit person to have charge of Blfrida, as I connived at what was going on between you." Is that between Henderson and your daughter Elfrida ? I suppose so. Does that mean that your daughter and Henderson were living together as man and wife ? My poor daughter was a lunatic, sir. I am not asking that. Was your daughter living with Henderson as his wife? Yes, sir; she was leaving my house at times, and living, I believe with Henderson. He was only in my house three times, and I never stayed with- him at his house or elsewhere. " And as I connived at what was going on between you, that I am not deserving of the full income which would otherwise hav6 been allotted by law. You and Elfrida are watched, aud so I write this to put you on your guard." Is not the meaning of that 'that you knew Henderson and your daughter to be living together? Yes. "You must, dearest Hen., for the child's sake and my sake be more cautious just now; it will soon be over." Did that not mean that your husband would soon be dead ? No, but that the divorce suit would soon be concluded. "It will soon be over. That wretched man can't last much longer." Is not the meaning of that sentence that your husband would soon be dead—that he was drinking himself to death? Yes "Ho drinks nearly two bottles of whisky every day, and is always drunk So dear Hen., keep clear of tho child for a time." Now, was not that advice for him to drop his liaison with your daughter for a short time during the pending of these proceedings in the Divorce Court? Pending his own divorce. Oh 1 was he married when he was living withyeur daughter? Yes. He was then going through the Divorce Court aud intended marrying her afterwards. . "Particularly when you would be seen with her? Your affectionate E. N."

That is yoqr letter ? Yes. Now listen to this other one :" My dear H., —I also had a note from Elfrida, saying she would be here tomorrow. She can some here, as my servants are all right, and won't let Fanny hear of it." What is the meaning of that, your servants being " all right ?" I sent my daughter to Germany with-a maid to remain with an old governess of mine there; but she would not stay and returned suddenly on my hands. And did you immediately write to Henderson to apprise him of her return, and that ho might safely visit her in your house as the servants "were all right" ? No, I got a letter from him. "We must get ber away as soon as possible. I will see you about it as soon as you like, Elfrida will tell you what my I plan is, whioh I think will suit all. What a child it is I Youra sincerely, E. N." That jb your letter also to the protector of your child? Yes. Can you give any explanation of that now 1 No, except that my poor child was attended by Dr. Stephens for insanity. I never influenced her in these unhappy pro-

ceedings. His Honor: Who is the personf called Fanny in your letter "Fanny won't hear of it?" My sister—the wife of Mr. Sothern. Re-examined by Mr. Serjeant Hemphill: Mr. Sottern was the great actor, better known as Lord Dundreary. I caanot give the date of the letters produced. Did, you directly, or indirectly, know of Henderson's purpose with your daughter ? No, not until too late. I discovered the liaison about Christmas, 1877, when my poor child was about sixteen years of age, and Mr. Henderson about seventy. 1 never dreamt that such a young girl would think of so old a man, (Laughter.) At first I thought it was an idle accusation, and 1 knew that my husband was endeavouring to make out a case even against myself. The house wsb watched by detectives, and strangers spoke to me in the streets in the presence of the officers. I sent my daughterawayin 1878 to be beyond Henderson's influence, 1 hoped, however, by keeping him in proper spirits, to ensure his marrying Elfrida after he obtained the divorce ho was suing for. The whole cause of this was the poor girl's insanity. It was a mania of hers. His Honor : How did you come to have this correspondence with Henderson after your discovery of Christmas, 1877, calling him also "Dear ( Hen,," and singing yourself " Yours affectionately ?" I expected he would marry the girl, ana 1 wished by this course to keep him up to bis word. Judgment was given for defendent. i