JILTED SWAIN

Timaru Herald, Volume CXLIII, Issue 20672, 10 March 1937, Page 5

JILTED SWAIN

SUIT FOR RECOVERY OF £lO NON-SUIT ENTERED By Telegraph—Press Association CHRISTCHURCH, March 9 The sequel to a broken engagement was heard in the Magistrate’s Court this morning when D. M. Carey, a paper runner, of Christchurch, sued Helen Christie, also of Christchurch, claiming £lO allegedly lent to her in settlement of an account. In his statement the plaintiff set out that he claimed from the defendant £lO lent and advanced to her and by her direction paid by him to Irwin and Irwin, of Dunedin, solicitors, in settlement of an account owing by the defendant. Alternatively the plaintiff claimed to recover from the defendant £lO paid on her account in consideration of an engagement to marry which had been entered into between the plaintiffff and the defendant, which engagement was later broken off by the defendant. Mr F. F. Reid. S.M., heard the case and counsel were Messrs K. G. Archer for the plaintiff and R. A. Young for the defendant.

D’Arcy Myers Carey, in evidence, said that Christie promised to marry him. She told him at the time she was divorced but did not have a decree absolute, but added that if he produced the money to get the decree absolute she would marry him. Accordingly he paid the £lO necessary in April last year. He kept company with her until last show day. “Three times preparations were made for a marriage," the witness added. “My people were all ready, but she turned us down flat. We had even gone as far as going to the registrar, fixing the date and signing the papers. Miss Christie would not go on with It, however, each time the date was fixed. She was responsible for the marriage not going on.” The witness continued that Christie was friendly with another man, and it was decided to write to him. Part of the letter produced was in Christie’s writing and read: “I think it is time we had an immediate understanding.” The engagement was finally broken off when they had a disagreement on show day. So far as the marriage was concerned he would have gone through with it on each of the three occasions.” When Christie would not marry me I asked for the money back,” Carey’s evidence concluded. “However, she said it was only a ‘flea-bite’ and refused to give the amount back.” After hearing the evidence the Magistrate non-suited Carey. “Perhaps he is unfortunate, but on the other hand he may not be,” said Mr Reid. “The experience may be cheap at £10.”