BARONESS AS BAILIFF

Southland Times, Issue 20525, 29 June 1928, Page 8

BARONESS AS BAILIFF

SCENE WITH A TENANT.

Scenes in a West End house in London, in which a baroness and her tenant figured, led to an action for alleged trespass, recently. Charles Thomas Burdock, a decorator, who lived in rooms in a house in Great Cumberland Place, belonging to Lady Strabolgi, mother of Lieut .-Commander Kenworthy, M.P., asserted that the baroness rushed into his room, nearly knocking down his wife, sat in an armchair and broke it, and remarked, “Now I have got possession.”

Burdock’s counsel, Sir Alfred Callaghan, declared that it appeared that Lady Strabolgi did not care anything for the law, and took a high and mighty view. Every man’s home was his castle.

Judge Hugh Sturges: That is one of the most inappropriate quotations in the English language. Judgment was given for Burdock for £3 and costs. On a counter-claim for rent arrears, the baroness was awarded £9 10s. “I do not think Lady Strabolgi behaved quite as she ought to done,” observed the judge, who added that legal notice was given to Burdock to quit, and the baroness had the right to turn him out when she thought fit.