OFFER TO BET.

Timaru Herald, Volume XIIC, Issue 13811, 23 January 1909, Page 3

OFFER TO BET.

AMUSING COURT AND JURY. Amusing evidence was given in a Louctoij Court recently by a gamekeeper, named Elliott, at the hearing of thei shotting tenancy dispute between Pi-edk. Marcus Modera and Sir Walter Barttlot. Elliott -said lie thought the small "bags" obtained by Mt Modera and his were due to bad shooting and unfavourable weather. Plaintiff had allegeij that the estate had been "'skinned " of birds. Witness said he often heard j Mustard (the former tenant's keeper,) shooting—" but he might have been shooting sparrows," he atlded. '• Til you suggest that si man who was entitled to shoot pheasants would shoot at sparrows for preference?" queried Mr Ekion Eankes, K.O. "Itlon't know," said Elliott, "but I shoiAd not. I suppose he wanted to , shoot .at something, and he may have chosen rabbits. (Laughter.) "The searcity of birds," continued the witness, .'•prompted Mr Modera to suggest that it might be due to the dress Mrs Modera yas wearing." (Loud laughter.) Mr 'Bankes hoped it was not too startling. (Renewed laughter.) Elliott- went on to tell how he once ofl'ereil to bet Mr Modera there were more thirds on the estate than he (plaintiff) estimated. "IBiit are you in the habit." asked counsel, "of betting with strange men who are in the position of your masters?"' Elliott said he would do so if they-, made a statement which he considered unreasonable. Thorp was further laughter when Elliott told JMr Bankes he was quite prepared to bet the jury his version of it, and not Mr Modera's, was correct. Interrogated as to' the statement that there were more cats than birds on the estate, Elliott said the observation could not have been made to him, otherwise he would have replied to it. "Yon would have had a bet about it, perhaps, if you had heard it?',' suggested Mr Justice Lawra nee.