SINGULAR ACTION AGAINST A BARONET.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXV, Issue 9130, 11 August 1888, Page 2 (Supplement)

SINGULAR ACTION AGAINST A BARONET.

In the Queen's Bench Division, on the 11th June, the action of Holmes v. Gooch came on for hearing before Mr. Justice Hawkins and a special jury. The nominal plaintiff is the executor of the late Sir Francis Gooch, of Benacre Hall, Suffolk, and of London, while the defendant is Sir Alfred Gooch, Bart., the present owner of the title and estates. The real plaintiff, however, is Mrs. Shippey, a young and attractive lady, who, it is said, was Sir F. Gooch's companion and nurse in his last illness, and to whom he gave by will the furniture of the hall, wine, china, jewellery, horses, and carriages, one of the horses, named Oriental, being valued at 500 guineas. Sir Francis, in consequence of family differences, had become separated from his wife. The plaintiff claimed the delivery of the articles, and damages for detention, while the defendant pleaded that there was no detention, but if there was he paid £5 into court in satisfaction for any claim on this ground, and he counterclaimed £300 for warehousing certain goods and for keep of the horses. The hearing of the case was adjourned until next day, when evidence was given as to what property was left at the hall by Sir Francis at his death. On the third day of hearing the jury found for the plaintiff for about £150, but against him upon a counter-claim for £40. Mr. Justice Hawkins said he should leave the parties to move the Divisional Court for judgment.