An Old Love Affair.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XLVII, Issue 7708, 10 January 1905, Page 3

An Old Love Affair.

The sequel of a matrimonial e»- t gagement which existed over 20 c years ago was an actioii in which Isabella Helen Finlayson claimed £IO,OOO 'damages for breach of promise of marriage from Joliji R. Hal{, i .of Newcastle. The case was heard by i Mr Justice Prisg and a jury at Sy d- < ney o,i» Dec. 2. The declaration of the « plaintiff was that she and defendant had agreed to marry on the death fr of defendant's fattier. In the course ' Of her evidence Miss* Finlayson said : | /••From the time I came to Sydney 15 , years ago I did not see defendant to speak to until last year. On Jan. 17 last Ball came to see me, and said he would the necessary ar- • rangements for _pur marrragt". He proposed to ih a fortnight, but failed to do so, and subsequently I saw the announcement of his marriage. I have had three oilers of ■ marriage during the 20 years, but ■ I did not accept any of them." Wit- ■ ness admitted to writing to defend- ■ ant as follows ■■'John Hall, take ■ warding, you contemptible fellow. As ■ you {lave cbosfft the part of anguis • In herba' we must consequently be on our guard. Bear in mind the : mofcto, and act by it, .'Magna est versmt. itas et prevaWbit,' be warn- ' ed, or you will bitterly regret it I know you too well to doubt my Hiority." Witness explained that the letter was written in consequence of ' q some 3efamg,tory remarks _ v having been made, but she was foni of de_i fendant all tine time. John -Richard Hall, the defendant, said tha# the engagement was broken off by mutual cottse*t in January. He heard while on his honeymoon that the present case was set down for hearing- *, Mr Justice Pring said thai " > n gs' the cose of a contract of marriage g," deptpding on mutual affection [jeople gL allowed a period of 20 years to elapse Bjfc without wrftiDg or visiting, ultaough Kj for six years living a quarter of a EN'. mile apart, it was strong i..i«lencc Kjf _of rescission of that contract, in tTvTS |k case there were circumstance's which' .were such as he hardly the 1 most daring novelist would put for- | Thd jury in less than 10 minytps returned a verdict for thedefen'dost.