Dispute as to a Statuette
Dispute as to a Statuette is an article published in The Daily Telegraph on 23 september 1904.
Arthur Conan Doyle summoned at Southwark court for detaining a white alabaster statuette.
Dispute as to a Statuette
Sir Arthur Conan Doyle was summoned at the same court, by William George Jones, of Brook Lodge, Hendon, for detaining a white alabaster statuette, at 62 and 64, Sumner-street, Blackfriars.
Mr. Arthur Newton appeared for Mr. Jones; and Mr. Abinger defended.
Mr. Newton said the statuette had now been returned, and he would withdraw the summons. The only question was as to costs.
Mr. Abinger said the statuette had never been claimed from Sir A. Conan Doyle, and had never been returned by him. The summons had only been taken out for the purpose of annoying him.
The Magistrate: I cannot go into all that.
Mr. Abinger said that before the summon was issued Mr. Jones could have got the statuette back from the company who had charge of it. On the 10th he asked for the statuette, and the company telephoned that he could have it when he liked. Sir Arthur was anxious to put a stop to the persistent annoyance from Mr. Jones. Counsel suggested that the summons was vexatious, and therefore should be dismissed with costs.
The Magistrate: No, I have no power to do that. You can take proceedings elsewhere.
Mr. Abinger: We shall.
Mr. Newton: All this is denied; we can go into other matters.
Mr. Abinger: And I am anxious to put an end to this annoyance, which has for its object the getting of money from Sir Arthur.
The magistrate said he could not go into this on the present summons.
Mr. Abinger: But, with great respect, you can say you think the summons is vexatious.
The Magistrate: Oh, no. I have already decided the case. I shall be very glad to go into all these questions, but I have no power. All I can say is that the summons is withdrawn.
Mr. Newton: I entirely deny the statements made by my friend; they are absolutely without foundation.
The proceedings then terminated.
