DRAPER'S BREACH OF? PROMISE.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 7119, 7 June 1901, Page 2

DRAPER'S BREACH OF? PROMISE.

300 LOVE LETTERS-^4OO DAMAGES. * At the London Sheriff's ..Court, before Mr Under-Sheriff Burchell and a jury, tine breach of promise case of Mason v. Venner came on for assessment of damages. Mr Ellis J. Griffith, M.P., said his client, Miss Adelaide Mason, was the daughter of a widow living -at Hove,. near Brighton. The defendaD't was the son of a reth-ed licensed victualler,, and was now in business as a. draper at Grove Road, Eastbourne, trading as Shannon and Co. "in 1899 the young people were employed in the same drapery business. They became very friendly. The defendant gave plaintiff a- verbal promise of marriage and subsequently he confirmed that promise in numerous letters. In all he wrote nearly three 'hundred letters.; HER STORY. The plaintiff, a tail, prepossessing young lady, who gave her age as twenty-three, said the defendant told her that his business at Eastbourne cost £7000, and' that his father had given it to him. Cross-examined by Mr Mathew, the young lady said the defendant had never given her an engagement ring. He took her to see his parents, but he did not introduce *er as his future wife. In the course of her evidence Misa Mason several times burst into tears. HIS STORY. - Mr Albert Edward Venner, the defendant, examined by Mr Mathew, admitted chat 'he was engaged to the plaintiff, but lie denied that the Eastbourne business belonged to him. At" the time the. business was acquired witness had not a: farthing,": his father finding the riicJiey. '." . Cress-examined by "Sir Griffith, the wit- ; ness said he. did not draw a salary, but lie. had to live.. '",.'" '.." Mi- Griffith:,. Well, -that is not always necessary.. .. (Laughter.) . The jury Warded the plaintiff the sum of £400. * Judgment was entered up accordingly, with costs. '