THE DRUCE CASE.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXV, Issue 2043, 21 November 1907, Page 2

THE DRUCE CASE.

MISS ROBINSON’S EVIDENCE. United Press Association—Copyright LONDON, November 19.

Caldwell denied that he and his brother held leasehold property in Londonderry in 1868. He denied assigning to Christy in 1871 an insurance policy on Robert Caldwell’s life. His brother might haVe told him he had mado ®h assignment. Mr. Plowden, the magistrate, put a series of searching questions. He remarked that some people believed that Druce was the real person who had died. Did any of these people ask to see the corpse before burial? Caldwell: No; they were not aware ho was dead until the funeral was over.

Mr. Plowden did not permit the production of a copy of a diary on the ground that it was made by a third party. Miss Robinson stated that she had also copied it. Mr. Plowden said that possibly tbe copy was unnecessary . Miss Robinson testified that she knew Druce in 1861; again as Druce at Welbeck in 1868, when she was introduced by Charles Dickens, whom she met at Boston, America, and at whose .instance she became engagedShe received at Worksop letters for Druce in tbe name of Madame Tussand

Lord Avery’s remarks, objecting to the copy, showed that the date of the manufacture of the paper whereon the original was written was questioned during its custody in London. Miss Robinson deposed that Charles Dickens in 1868 introduced he* to Druce at Welbeck. She became his outside correspondent. Mr, Plowden, police magistrate, remarked that he thought Druoe disappeared in 1864. She refused to submit a partial copy of a diary made by Mr. Robinson when preparing her evidence. NEW YORE, Nov. 19. Papers report that Calkins, a merchant of Millville, New- Jersey, claims the Portland estates as a descendant of the first duke’s eldest son, who settled in America in the beginning of the last century.

THE DUKE’S DUAL IDENTITY.

EMPHATIC EVIDENCE BY THE WITNESS.

(Received Nov. 21, 10.45 p.m'.) LONDON, Nov. 20.

Miss Robinson testified that slile .heard from Dickens in 1869 that Druce was the Duike of Port-laml. She told Druce, who wus angry and would not listen, but i-n IS7O he admitted it, saying that he- carried- the .name of Druce because lie had a wife of that manic below his rank. Miss Robinson went to various places after 1870 at- the Duke’s (instructions, lie visiting her at those places. She had u misunderstanding with (him in 1876. 'He then i>aid her her earnings. She spent five years in the East, and in 1897 went to New Zealand.

AVifcness, severely cross-examined, stated she knew this gentleman from 1868 onwards as Druce, whom she had seen at Tuinbridge Wells and Richmond in 1862. He never told her tllm-t he pretended to die in 1564. Slie was not awa re befo re she arrived - in. England last February that Druce,. of Baker-street Bazaar, was supposed to have died in 1864. (She' stayed at Worksop to receive letters under cover. Until jibe mas aware of the Duke’s identity she called him Druce.

She volunteered evidence that silife d»**d not arrange to receive expenses in the ease, but expected to be paid -hereafter. She bad some little iPioncy on account. She denied knowing Caldwell in Christchurch, Near Zealand. Miss Robinson shortly afterwards fainted. The hearing wasadjoumed -till Thursday.