PEER IN COURT

Southland Times, Issue 21579, 17 December 1931, Page 7

PEER IN COURT

SUED FOR MAINTENANCE.

ACTION BY LADY LANGFORD.

(United Press Assn.—Dy Telegraph—Copyright.) London, December 15.

Lady Langford summoned Lord Langford for maintenance in the West London Police Court. Complainant said that defendant left Dublin in 1922 for London heavily in debt and returned in 1923. He went back to London, after which he proceeded to Australia and Canada, representing himself as a single man. She had instituted a divorce action on the grounds of desertion while he was in Australia and Lord Langford wrote asking forgiveness. She replied that he was a heartless wretch and had deserted her after living on her people for many months. She would help him if prospective appointments materialized, and suggested that he should contribute to her support. His next letter came from Australia promising money when he secured a job. Mr Cairns, for Lord Langford, contended that his wife refused to accompany him to Australia, which was tantamount to desertion.

The Magistrate did not concur. Mr Cairns: In 1923 she says: “I will not live with you any more.” Lord Langford abandoned divorce proceedings owing to lack of money. He made an affidavit regarding his career in Canada, including singing in Eskimo territory, tending cattle aboard ship and an attempt to make a career as a vocalist in Melbourne. He wrote to his wife in 1926 offering a home and received no reply. He re-married and returned to England, where ho learned complainant was alive. Mr Turner Samuels said Lord Langford wrote the story of his life for a Sunday newspaper and could support his wife. The lady he married in Australia should now be in England whither she voyaged in order to rejoin him. Lady Langford was now living with her mother at Kensington, her mother contributing to the upkeep of the house. Lord Langford was staying at Bury Mansions, Jermyn street, West End. He did not seem to need money. Lady Langford, in evidence, said her husband became a Catholic in order to marry her. He inherited from his mother £3OOO, but was annoyed to find it subject to mortgage. Witness denied that he invited her to go to Canada or Australia. She was penniless. Here witness broke down. Resuming, she said Lord Langford defrayed the cost of the honeymoon with her rings. She had written a story of her life for the Daily Express. Coming into the title made her ill, compelling resignation of her tea shop position. Mr Cairns agreed that Lady Langford had a right to stay from her husband, but that was not desertion on his part. The case was adjourned till January 19.