DENNISTOUN CASE.

Wairarapa Daily Times, 21 March 1925, Page 5

DENNISTOUN CASE.

SOCIETY SCANDAL. ANGRY EXCHANGES. Press Association—Electric Telegraph—Copyrigtn LONDON, Friday. Angry and bitter exchanges marked deefndnnt’s cross-examination in the Dennistoun case. Defendant frequently thumped the table in emphasis. ■Sir Ellis Hume-Williams: Didn’t you agree to support vour 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 humanlj' possible, but he eoubl 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 £IIOO,OOO on you at the time of your marriage to her was to invest you with dignity. Do yon think that when you received £20,000 and a flat from another man’s wife you had any dignity left?— 1 AVitness (heatedly): I won’t discuss it with you. Ask Lady Carnarvon herself.

Sir Ellis Hume-Williams: I am not suggesting immorality between you 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 he spent £14,000 in 1022, and when counsel enquired about Lady Carnarvon’s control of his account, retorted: “This •nosey-Parker’ business is quite unnecessary. ’ ’ Mr Justice M’Cardie: “Several times you have replied offensively and discourteously.”

Witness: “I am sorry, but I am feeling seedy.” Continuing, he said his balance 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 he 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 Dennistoun as sweet but hopelessly weak, and “a wash-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 lie was pooj and hungry. The charges against him were most wicked and abominable. — Aus. and N.Z. Cable Assn.