NEWS ITEMS.

New Zealand Mail, 15 February 1900, Page 47

NEWS ITEMS.

another peerage romance. ' WHO WILL SUCCEED TO THE VISCOUNTY OF BOLING BROKE r 4 pretty little romance attaches to the succession to the Viscounty of Bolingbroke and St. John. When the late baron died just over two months ago, it was generally assumed that his cousin, Canon St. John, of Gloucester, was his heir, and even the Canon himself was convinced that his claim to the succession was unassailable. Doubt was entertained only when the reference .books were looked at. One said that the late baron was married but had no child; another that his heir was Canon St. John; a third that he was not married, while others agreed that he married, but the marriage 'was void. The question of the lawful succession was beginning, to get somewhat involved when the family lawyer made an unexpected announcement that the heir was the Hon. Vernon Henry St. John, who was born only three years ago last March This statement surprised no one more than Canon St. John, who had gone to Lydiard Park, 'Swindon, the seat of the late baron, believing himself to be the owner. In support of the boy’s claim proof is said to be in existence of a secret marriage at the Bath Registry Office, on January 5, 1833, between the late baron and Mary Emily Howard. The bridegroom was then about 73 and the bride about 30. There were two children, the first being stillborn, and the second the boy who it is asserted, will succeed to the viscounty L or NAN ingbl ,'°A? himself registered the birth of this child.

Naturally, everybody is now aski whether Canon St. John will seek to establish his claim in a court of law and the general opinion is that he will ’ net. Much sympathy has been expressed for him, as he had never heard of the secret marriage, but only of a marriage in 1869 which was void in law. ’

So well-was the secret of the second marriage kept, that when not living with her husband Lady Bolingbroke was known When she was accompanied by- her husband the pair never divuiged the fact that they were titled people. :