Conflicting Evidence.

Te Aroha News, Volume IV, Issue 182, 11 December 1886, Page 4

Conflicting Evidence.

LoKr»ox, November 29. The Campbell divorce suit was resumed this morning. It was decided on Saturday tbat the counter petitions should bo inquired into concurrently. Upon tbi3 decision being given, Mr Finlay, the leading counse for Lord Colin Campbell, began hie address in support of his lordBhip'a petition, and replied to the charges that had been alleged against hia client by Sir Cha=. Russell, the leading counsel for Lady Colin Campbell. Mr Finlay'e addresa continued through the whole of Saturday and occupied the greater part of to-day (Monday). Liter dealing OHe by one with tho charges that had been made against Lord Colin, and, as Mr Finlay said, purged the character of his ciient from the gross slanders that had been laid against him, the learned counsel pro■ceeded to indicate the evidence that would be produced in support of Lord Colin'* petition for a divorce, and said that he had no hesitation in saying that the evidence -would prove beyond doubt that Lady Campbell was not the chaste woman she would have the Court and tho world believe. He should, he said, be able to prove that she had been guilty of the grossest charges that could be brought againßt a woman and a wife. Mr Fin"ay concluded his powerful, scathing, and eloquent addrees by eayitig that tho charges that had been made against Lord Colin were the result of an infamous and vindictive conspiracy to cover with filth the escutcheon of one of the most honourable families in the Ueited Kingdom — ay, In the wide world. This forensic onslaught he followed with a fi^ry peroration, in which he described Lady Colin Campbell and Lady Miles as shameless women. The question of the judicial separation •was then gone into. Mr Finlay contended that the order was not legal ; and that, if leg\l the allegations then made against Lord Colin Campbell were not sufficient to warrant such an order being made. The judge, however, ruled that the order was legal, and that the grounds for the Older were sufficient. Conclusive med'cal evidence was then called to rebut the statement made by Lady Miles as to the inchastity of one of hie lordehip's housemaids — a young woman named Watson. Watson was called and denied that any act familiarity bad ever taken place between

herself aud Lord Colin Campbell. She then gave most positive testimony against Lady 1 ampbell. The witness was subjected to a severe cross-examination, the effect of which was to considerably nullify the value of her evidence. The inquiry waa then adjourned until Wednesday morning.