OAMAGES ONE PENNY.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LI, Issue 15563, 21 March 1914, Page 2 (Supplement)

OAMAGES ONE PENNY.

SEQUEL TO BROKEN ENGAGEMENT. BaoK£X threads of romance were in evidence in a recent action at West Bromwich, in which Lois Allen sued George Peel, Jabez Gough being brought in as third party. Mr. Darby (for plaintiff) said the claim was for the specific delivery of certain goods, or, in the alternative, for their value. Plaintiff made the acquaintance of Gough, and they'contemplated matrimony. She applied her savings to the purchase of a number of articles, with a view to forming a home. She was a neighbour of defendant, and Mr. and Mrs. Peel she thought were friends of hers. They offered to take care of those articles for her until such time as the marriage took place, and the goods were entrusted to them. The marriage did not take place, the parties disagreeing, and plaintiff now wanted the goods. Mr. and Mrs. Peel, however, seemed to have constituted themselves judges in the matter, and had given the goods to Gough, which was the reason Gough had been brought into the action. The contention was that the goods were purchased with (rough's money, but he urged that plaintiff's claim was unanswer- j able, as defendant received the goods ' merely as bailee. Plaintiff said she walked out with i Gough for about two years, and they became engaged. Some of the goods she bought herself, and others were bought with money provided by both of them. Some of them Gough bought and gave to her as presents. Mr. Badie (defending): Did you write to him as follows : — " Mr. Gough,— am writing to tell you finally 1 wish to discontinue any further acquaintance with you, and I wish to tell you also that I do not want you to write or try and see me again, as I have quite decided to go my own way, and finish altogether with you." Witness said she wrote the letter. His Honor: Why did you do that?— Because he deceived me. Mr. Darby read the following letter which Cough had sent to plaintiff. "Miss Allen, answer to your letter I .am quite willing to accept your dismissal. Please return all presents that I. have bought you at once. If not forthcoming, I shall take further proceedings against you; also my photos." Jabez Gough said ho was told that when he used to go out of plaintiff's house another fellow used to walk in. Witness added that plaintiff cost him £100 altogether. His Honour said he did not think plaintiff had sustained any damage, though he thought Mrs. Peel should not have handed over the goods without the consent of plaintiff. He gave judgment for plaintiff for Id, and made no order as to costs.