DUNMOW FLITCH FUN

Taranaki Daily News, 16 August 1933, Page 9

DUNMOW FLITCH FUN

EDITOR TAKES THE BACON.

HAPPILY MARRIED FOR A YEAR,

There were many amusing passages at the Dunmow Flitch trial at Ilford this year. The flitch was won by Mr. and Mrs. H. J. Fitzgerald, of Bournemouth. Mr. Fitzgerald is managing editor of a Bournemouth newspaper. Three couples battled for the honour of winning the flitch. Mr. George Hicks, M.P., attired in a full-bottomed wig and scarlet robes, was judge. Mr. Newrnan, who appeared for the flitch with Mr. Jack Hayes and Mr. Samuel Lincoln, contended at the opening of the court that the trial could not be held owing to’ the result of the case, “Hallo, Hallo and Hallo v. Hallo, Hallo and Hallo,” as reported in the second edition of the London Telephone Directory. The objection was disallowed. Before Mr. and Mrs. Fitzgerald went into the box an objection was raised ■by Mr. Hayes regarding the costs of the flitch which was held last year. He wanted Is 6d for his expenses. The judge overruled this objection. Mr. Lincoln, questioning Mr. Fitzgerald,.asked, “Are your habits temperate ?” Mr. Fitzgerald: I beg your pardon. I thought you said “rabbits.” Mr. Newman: If you are awarded the flitch, I suppose you will change your name to Flitchgerald ? “Shakespeare was content to be called Bacon,” said Mr. Fitzgerald. The jury of six maidens and six bachelors needed only two minutes to decide which couple had been most happily married for a year and a day. Mr. and Mrs. Fitzgerald were made to kneel on the stones originally used for the flitch trial at Dunmow centuries ago. Having taken the oath, they were given the prize,