DENNISTOUN CASE.

Wairarapa Age, 21 March 1925, Page 5

DENNISTOUN CASE.

DEFENDANT CROSS-EXAMINED INDIGNANT ANSWERS. (Press Association—Copyright.) LONDON, Mar. 19.—Angry and bitter exchanges marked defendant’s cross-examination in the Dennistoun case. Defendant frequently thumped the table in emphasis. Sir Ellis Hume-Williams: Didn’t you agree to support your wife if in a position to do so Witness: ‘‘Surely a man can write to his wife, and he can’t help it if that letter is maliciously used?” He denied that there was any agreement. He told her he would help her in all ways humanly possible, but be could only draw out money with Lady Carnarvon’s acquiescence. The whole case was malice in order to Show him up before his present wife, who, before Lord Carnarvon’s death, gave witness £20,000 and also furnished his flat for him.

Sir Ellis Hume-Williams: Lady Carnarvon’s idea in settling £lOO,OOO on you at the time of your marriage to her was to invest you with dignity. Do you think that when you received £20,000 and a flat from another man’s wife you had any dignity left?—Witness (heatedly): I won’t discuss it with you. Ask Lady Canarvon herself. >

Sir Ellis Hume-Williams: I am not suggesting immorality between yon and Lady Carnarvon. Witness (jumping to his feet): '‘ My Lord, it is a most unfair statement. It is pure blackmail. ’ ’

Mr Justice M'Cardie ruled the question permissible. Witness admitted that he spent £14,000 in 1922, and When counsel inquired about Lady Carnarvon’s control of his account, re. torted: ‘‘This ‘uosey-Parker’ business is quite unnecessary.”

Mr Justice M‘ Cardie: Several times you’ve replied offensively and discourteously. Witness: "I am sorry; but lam feeling seedy.” Continuing, he said his balance of £51,000 was drawn out after service of the writ, and was paid over to his present wife. Witness declared the case was a conspiracy to obtain money by intimidation. If he had assaulted Cowans be would have been court-martialled. His wife would not have listened to a threat of divorce.

Lady Carnarvon in evidence said that plaintiff was attractive to the last degree; none could resist her charm. She used to describe Dennis-toun-us sweet but hopelessly weak and "a wqsh-out.” Plaintiff never told her that Dennistoun connived at the Cowans affair in order to gain preferment. Witness helped Dennistoun financially because he befriended her when she was ill and also because he was poor and hungry. The chargee against him were most wicked and abominable.—(A. and N.Z.)