1938-03-26 — Page 3

THE HONGKONG TELEGRAPH. SATURDAY. MARCH 26, 1988,

Jury Awards Dancer £1,000 For Doctor's

Breach of Promise In London Drama

Judge and the Conduct of

"Poor Young Eric"

BREACH of promise damages of £1,000 were awarded

to Miss Winifred Wilson, the dancer, against Dr. Eric Dansie in the King's Bench Division recently. Stay of execution was granted.

The jury, who included two women, had been listening to the case for five days. They took an hour to reach the verdict.

The case had been remarkable because so much depended on what happened when a document (relied on by the defence as mutually rescinding the promise to marry) was signed by Miss Wilson.

Dr. Dansie, senior, Mrs. Dansie, "Aunt Mabel" and "Aunt Lilian” all gave evidence in the King's Bench Division in the case.

PEOPLE IN

THE CASE

Doctor's Exit

In Pyjamas

"A Bit Hurried

-Judge's Suggestion

Miss Winifred Grace Wil- son, 25-year-old dancer, who sued Dr. Eric Redgowoll Dansio, a young London doctor, had told the court that sho was induced by the doctor's parents to sign an their agreement cancelling engagement, and was practi- cally turned out of the house.

"Why is it necessary to suggest that | damages. But they must remember Witnesses Included the he was there for some partial pur- he was the only person sued. There

was young man's parents, Dr. and pose?

no claim against any other "Why could not,counsel content member of the Dansle family, or Mr. Dansic, who denied himself by saying, 'You must not rely even the poor vicar." "bullying" the girl; the Rov. too much upon the evidence of this R. K. Toasdale, Vicar of Cow-gentleman, because obviously his fold, and friend of the family, memory has played hun false' who witnessed Dr. Eric's signature; and "Cousin Lilian" and "Aunt Mabol," relatives of the Dansies.

"POOR YOUNG ERIC”

"Then it is said that the conduct of poor young Eric was disgraceful because he allowed that man (Savery) to be called into court and questioned about his conduct with Miss Wilson told her: "I think they this young woman when Mr. Gordon

consider that I am not good enough for them, and they think I am a fool,

but I shall show that I am not." She also said: "Why don't they accept me?"

had, I should have thought, himself established quite plainly that poor

young Eric knew nothing about 11.

"You may think it was not much use Introducing that matter because, Miss Winifred Grace Wilson, the plaintiff, has said

as Mr. Gordon said, if you thought Mr. Mabel Dansie stated that

nt her

this young girl had been reduced in that she first met Dr. Eric Dansie when she was 18. They

the interview in the music-room

sexual responsibility, whose on fault is 17 became unofficially engaged in 1933 and in 1935 he gave June 11 there was no compulsion or

"The mar

who was bullying.

practically married to her in every sense except her a ring.

Later, she said, Miss Wilson told the ceremony has jilted her.

Dr. Dansie's parents and other relatives, she alleges, combined to get her to break off the engagement, and she was induced to sign a deed cancelling the engage. ment,

Hc

ORDERED OUT

Dr. Eric Dnasie has admitted the engagement, but pleaded that it was DR. ERIC rescinded by mutual consent. also said that his family's altitude: towards Miss Wilson was one of affection.

"NO EMOTIONAL -ANTAGONISM"

Referring to Dr. Eric Dansle's parture from "Swain's," after document had been signed, Gordon asked:

kept him."

1

QUESTIONS FOR THE JURY

The Judge referred to the ques- tions which It was ogreed should be left to the jury. They were:

(1) Was the promise to marry put an end to by verbal mutual consent on June 11, 10307

(2) Were the documents of June 13, 1930, aigned by Misa Wil- son in circumstances amounting to undue influence?

Es

(3) If the answer to question 2 undue Influcace?

(4) If the answer to Question 2 "Yes," was any member, or were any members, of Dr. Dande's family, who exercised undue in- Buence, acting as Dr. Eric Dansie's agent, or agenia, in the exercise of that undue Influence?

(5) Damages, if any.

were: (1) No. (2) Yes. (3) Yes, (4) The answers given by the jury

Yes. (8) £1,000.

Miss Wilson had to satisfy the jury

that she was influenced unduly to sign the document; it she did that

her, "I have only one regret that "I daresay you will think that one then I should have beply ris, and thing is true this is an extremely painful position for both sides. It Miss Lilien Dowie ("Aunt Lilan"), may be difficult to see how any good

İs going to come out of it all. sister of Mrs, Knic Dansic, gave "But don't let yourselves be in-she was not bound by it. evidence that she was always friend- fluenced by any considerations of ly with Winifred and always got on that kind. well with her.

She supported Mrs. Kate Dansie's inccount of the music-room Interview, | debut said that Winifred was "a little the tearful at first."

Mr.

Did you consult him as to whether

THE MONEY ISSUE "There is one thing more that has been treated rather as a matter of prejudice; it has been suggested that this young woman is bringing an action merely for money.

DR. DANSIE, SENIOR "You may think," said Mr. Justice Hawke, "that Dr. Dansie, senior, was a difficult person to argue with."

The jury retired to consider their verdict after a summing-up Jasting just an hour.

There was nothing to suggest that Evidence regarding the signing of

Miss Wilson was being "kicked out," the document at "Swain's," Partridge

she added.

Mr. G. D. Roberts, KC. (for the Green, Sussex, where Dr. Dansie's he liked to be sent out of the house? Eric to Worthing on Saturday after- heart, but I do know this there is Jury,

Cross-examined, she said she took

"I don't know what may be in her defence), in his final speech to the parents live, was given by the Rev.-No, I ordered him out.

had said: R. K. Teasdale, vicar and friend of

noon after the signing of the docu- no other method known to the law the family.

Dr. Dansie agreed that Miss Wilson ment because she did not think of this country, in cases of this sort a lesson

"Perhaps this case," he added, "is never to defend such an It was the fourth day of the hear-sions on literature and art.

was not at case during family discus-sensible for him and Miss Wilson to at any rate, of granting compensation action as this. Considering the alle- be in the same house under the strain to someone who had been wronged,gations that are to be anticipated, the ing.

Mr. Gordon: Do you know of any of a broken engagement. worse form of snobbery than intellec-Eric was got out of the house in a

that except by money. When Mr. Gordon suggested

imputations, and the mud being "It may be that in a more perfect slung, the moral tual snobbery?How do you make it

seems to be: No out to be intellectual snobbery to hurry, Miss Dowie said he put his dealing with it. I daresay that in many witne

world there will be other methods of matter how strong your case is, how

witnesses Dr. Danske, senior, who returned to have family talks on literature and trousers over his pyjamas.

you have got, or how the witness box recently for further art? It is the Inst thing in the world

not more perfect worl..

this sort of thing | conclusive a document, don't ever de- cross-examination, sald that his I

fend such an action as this." snob of any sort. I resent things a bit hurried?-1 don't think won't hoppen. motive in obtaining the presence of the term.

"But

it ought not to be used as a Mr. Alban Gordon, in his final the vicar on June 13, 1930, was to

Justice Hawke: Willam f

Are you telling the Court that this reproach to Miss Wilson. If she is speech for Miss Wilson, replied to have someone outside his own family Makepeace Thackeray said that we poor young

mar came downstairs bringing this action for money, she the "mud-slinging" reference. to witness the agreement.

were all snobs!

dressed us he was and said not a is entitled to it."

"Have you ever heard of a Nitbler be Answering Mr. G. D. Roberts, K.C. word, and nutely submitted to The jury could punish the defen-piece of mud siung than when that dant if they thought right, said Mr.man Savery was brought into court?" (for the defence), Dr. Dansie said: talten to Worthing? Yes.

Justice Hawke, on the question of he asked. Miss Wilson was treated with the utmost courtesy by everyone, includ ing the servants and my lady wife." MRS. DANSIE

Me, Alban Gordon (for Miss WII-

son): Did it occur to you at any time

to ask Miss Wilson whether she would like an intimate friend of hers to be present?—No.

At that time you were in violent "antagonism with her, and there was) a sharp conflict of interest between you? I don't agree.

"There was no emotional anta- gonism between Miss Wilson and myself at that time," Dr. Danale

added.

that

am-i

Mr.

...IN THE BOX-

So.

Mr.

Justice Hawke: Were

JUDGE'S "I WANT

YOU TO BE CAREFUL"

Miss Dowie said that they had tea at. Worthing between.. 4 and 130. When she left the house the vicar followed her down the path. The drive to Worthing would take about 40 minutes

Mr. Justice Hawke: I want you to

Mrs. Kate Janet Dansie, Dr. Eric's mother, said that Miss Wilson went everywhere with them and seemed perfectly happy during her siny.

Mr. Roberts: When she came back be very careful about this because from hospital was there

anything "cool" or neglectful in your reception somebody may not have been telling Referring to the fact

MIss of her?-Not at all. I was in the

the truth. Wilson and Dr. Eric signed the agree-kitchen and, hearing her

Mr. Gordon: Eric has sold that it come in, ment separately, Mr. Gordon said: went into the dining-room, kissed her was a long time after the signing of The whole life of two young people and said, "I am glad you are better," the agreement that he left? Then and their whole happiness was at After she had had some tea my son he is wrong, stake, and because

of them carried her upstairs where the room wanted to know what the other really was prepared with wireless, desired, you

that was all

оле

a waste of sidercortably.

NOT PREVENTED FROM LEAVING

This concluded the, evidence.

THE SUMMING UP

Suicide After "No Women"

Pact By Guardsmen

not to go out with women was mentioned at an inquest at Pad- A pact between two Guardsmen to keep together always and dington on Guardsman Albert Sidney Tyler 20, of the 2nd. En. Grenadier Guards, stationed at the Tower of London.

Tyler was killed when he jumped young woman, and Tyler did not in front of a Tube train at Hyde Park seem to mind. Corner station.

Gdsman. Sydney Joseph Freeman, 22, also of the. 2nd Bn. Grenadier Mr. Justice Hawke, summing up, Guards, said that he and Tyler were Mr. Justice Hawke: Why did you

told the jury:

close friends. think it was a waste of time?-There On Thursday, June 11, you were in "I hope by this time you have for, was already a breaking-off of the the music-room after dinner? Yes. gotten the suggestion

Mr. Ingleby Oddie, the coroner: I with which think you had a certain understand- engagement and it was a waste of My husband said he had a proposition this case began that this doctor was ing to keep together and not to have time running up and down the stairs. to put to Winifred and she seemed a social climber who wanted to get anything to do with women?--Yes,

very interested. We discussed it and into county society. I wonder why had little jokes about expecting to the should not get into county society get our hair done at reduced fees. If he wanted to,

(It was proposed that Miss Wilson Ot should become a hairdresser.]

"DID NOT ASK TO

SEE ERIC"

Mr. Gordon: Is it not the fact that throughout the whole of this inter- view Miss Wilson was begging for one favour, to be allowed to see the man you were asking her to give up?- She never mentioned it. She asked us to find out whether Erle wanted. her to sign,

Mr. Justice Hawke: You still say you are sure that she did not ask to be allowed to see Eric? Yes.

Mr. Gordon: Did you think this girl was out for money?-No. I did not think that for moment. I think on the Thursday night, when I put my proposition to her-if I remember rightly she sold to me, "I would not take money from you, dada, except as you know I have nothing to fall back on."

Acid Stomach PROMPTLY RELIEVED "The Nee Alkaline Way You will never get relief from Indigestion and Gas after "esting until you correct the EXCESS ACID condition that causes the trouble..

EXCESS ACID is the cause of most согодив sillments sich #***

·Sour Stomach, Gas on the Statsack, Headaches, Heartburn, Flatulence, Colde, Rheurnal, Neuralgia; Lambago, and that Tired, Run-Down Feeling.

Alka-Seltzer will quickly velleve any of these everyday illa. A tablet ià a glam of water makes a harmion, sparking anti-acid drink. Pain otteneretis acidity la corrected--and your normal pip and vigor are quickly renewed.. No ob# preparation will give you such quick re- lief from pain, such complete restoration of health, Alka-Seltzer is not a lamtivk,

-Illa anfa, sure, and harmlem. fiskf all Chemiita di kmascalking

course, the suggestion was "The whole thing was amiable," think that this girl was badly treat- made with a view to getting you to Mrs. Dansie added, "and Winifred ed from the first." sald, I want one thing. I want to

It had been suggested that the idea

So he would not like you to go out with a young woman-No.

commented. Mr. Ingleby Oddle "There is no doubt that Tyler was very devoted to this guardsman. They were very close friends in Egypt, and apparently vowed that they would keep together and have nothing to do with women,

to resist the attractions of the other "Freeman, apparently, was not able

sex, and has been going out with a very much. He was very jealous, young woman. This distressed Tyler

and, in a fit of pique, he took his life." A verdiet that Tyler killed himself

An extract from a letter found in Tyler's possession, and quoted by Mr. while of unsound mind was recorded, Ingleby Oddie, read:

Though I have been in many

be able to see Erie once or twice in getting Miss Wilson to "Swain's" worries and scrapes, this is one a week. I know marriage is im-was, from the first, in order to break cannot find a possible way out of possible: I don't mind about that

if I can see him once or twice a the engagement. Was there

evidence to Justify that?

any except this which I am taking. You know the trouble. Do not help me In any way. Your promises

werd broken just as I am now.

Beauty Is Skin Deep with Men

Kansas City.

week.

"I said:

"Then there is the suggestion that "That's very silly to see Eric in that way if you are going they had not treated her kindly; that to break off the engagement, and they left her out of some of the con- she said: 'No. I know I can wreck versation-not so much when Eric Mr. Ingleby Oddie: What does he Eric's career, but I don't want to was there; they would be afraid to mean?

The average American mani do that if I can see him once or then-but when he was not present Freeman: There is only one thing spends about as much money twice a week, Then she stood en

"No!

single instance have we had I can think. When we were in Egypt beautifying the hearth-rug and made rather a produced for our consideration.

himself 8.8 the we made a promise that we would formal little speech. She said: 'I

together always,

javerage woman, L. J. Ray, accept. Thank much.'

continued:

here.

But on the other hand, why should kee Ingleby Oddle said the letter Chicago scalp specialist, said

you all very these people have disliked her, if they Mr.

[did,

from

the Arst?

at the interview?-Not a bit.

hot

Was any compulsion put upon her "It may be that they are old- In all my life I never felt so lonely

fashioned

people. You may remember. as I do now. I am cold, hungry and Statistics by scalp specialists and Was she prevented from leaving from things you have heard your alone. Everything is quiet, and it is national trade associations reveal that the room? No.

grandfathers and grandmothers say, bitterly"

altterly cold. This station is forlorn, the average man spends 121.65 and Under cross-examination Mrs. that the different strata of society I am not a bit sorry for what I am 201 hours annually on his face and Danrie said the reason she did not were not exactly the same in the old doing. In fact, I am very glad to hot Ray sald. Women average visit Miss Wilson when she was in days as they are now.

with everything. I do $29.80. hospital was that she was spring- All that poor, wretched cleaning at home and had not

blame you. I know I have been un- the man could say was that she clipped agreeable, but after all you did make viewpoints les in the fact, that men "The essential differences in their time.

the final 'G of certain words. a promise which you have broken.refer to the process as 'keeping fit

"What is your experience? Was So the clipping of that particular letter of me If you can.

goodbye. Please think the best or by saying that one must be the lot I don't know.(Laughter.) out several times previously with a programme." United Press. an indication of a high society rather Freeman added that he had been for beauty's sake that they join the |presentable. Women admit that it's

Mr. Gordon suggested it would have been easy for her to obtain helloh, no," replied Mrs. Dansie, "don't you know about the servant trouble?"

"THAT POOR VICAR”

young

Mrs. Dansic admitted taxing Mis Wilson, with having taken photo- "And then, why has it been neces graphs from her son's room. Shesary to make that attack that has denied asking her to unpack her bag, been made upon that poor vicar? I and she accepted it that Misa Wilson had taken nothing of her son's. FAUNT MABEL" GIVES

EVIDENCE"

Mrs. Mabel Dansie, a cousin of Dr. Dansle, senior, said she looked after Misa Wilson, when "aho; came back from hospital:"after her operation."

dare any you may think, after ali you have heard, and after what Lilian told us about the Ume that be that the vicar's memory is very defective,

***It may be that he does not re- momber, really, much of what hap- paned. But why is it necessary to talk about colling him in to add the On the Sunday after her return weight and dignity of the Church?

Star Given Police Guard

Ruth Elung (left) husky-volood "Blues" singe, discarded her bleycla to-day and rode around Hollywood in a smart ilmousine, with a burly deteolive·menter on elther side of her,

+

Ruth isn't feeling so good, Reason?

Attorney Pitts says the singer has complained to him that a man rang her up last Tuesday, announced: "I'm going to get an airplona and coming along to kill you and myself."

Ruth; America's No. 1 ndio torch inget started har al

SPECIAL OFFER

IN

"MARPLE" SHEETS.

WE OFFER A

·· 10% REDUCTION

ON MARKED

PRICES FOR

1 WEEK

ONLY

Quality

2 x 3 Yds.

Quality

444.

$12.95 Pair

444

22 x 3 Yds. $15.75 Pair

555.

333

666

13.95 14.50 16.50

555

18.50

"

"

333

11

19.50

666

20.50

11

SPECIAL QUOTATIONS GIVEN TO HOTELS AND INSTITUTIONS

Rosquito

MOSQUITO NETTING DIRECT FROM THE MOST RELIABLE NOTTINGHAM MANUFACTURERS. Round Top

th

Size 3' x 6'6" 3'6" x 6'6" 4'

x 6'6" 4′6′′ x 6'6" 5'

x 6'6" 5'6" x 6'6"

"

11

Square Top PRICE $18.50 3'0" x 6'6" 19.50 3'6" x 6'6" 20.50 4′0′′ × 6′6′′ 21.50 4′6′′ x 6'6" 22.50 5′0′′ x 6′6′′

PRICE $17.50

18.50

T

19.50

20.50

21.50

21

23.50 5'6" x 6'6" 1ST FLOOR

22.50

Whiteaway, Laidlaw & Co., Ltd.

"her,carder “sifuzing

In associa

in a Chicago cafe in 1922. She appeared at the Adelphi Theatre, London,

in October 1930, in the spectacular revue “Transatlantic Rhythm.

"King Georgs IV Whisky

has had a REPUTATION for 50 years

Every QUALIFICATION of a first-class whisky and a DESTINATION that is always assured

THE

HONGKONG

PENINSULA HOTEL;

HONGKONG HOTEL; REPULSE BAY HOTEL:

SHANGHAI

ASTOR HOUSE” PALACE HOTEL;

HOTELS

LIMITED.

Sura