GUILTY OF BIGAMY

Ashburton Guardian, Volume XLVIII, Issue 10984, 2 August 1927, Page 3

GUILTY OF BIGAMY

AN' IMMIGRANT'S OFFENCE. WIFE AND SEVEN CHILDREN. (Per Press Association.) AUCKLAND, August 1. An unusual story of an unsuccessful marriage, followed by a bigamous one, was told at the Police Court this morning, when Thomas Dawson Smith, aged 61 company manager, of Auckland, pleaded guilty to a charge of bigamy, and was committed for sentence at the Supreme Court. , Chief-Detective Cummmgs stated that on May 19 last he interviewed Smith, and showed him a marriage certificate which had been received from England. Accused then admitted that on June 4, 1885, he married Harriet Cook at the parish church, Birkenhead, Chester, England. His first wife was still alive. He also admitted having married a widow at Auckland in 1914. In the statement which Smith gave to the Chief-Detective he stated that he was married 42 years ago at the age of 19. He bi-ought up a family of seven children. For 21 years his married life was happy, but then his wife began to change her attitude toward him, telling him that she had lost all love for "him, and that she would lie happier without him. She also added that she could get on as well, in fact, better, without him. " I took little notice of this and of my wife'6 requests to clear out becansa some of the children were" at that time still attending school at Hereford," said Smith. "I considered it unfair to the children to leave her. But eventually she became so insistent and gradually, added to my burdens by finding fault. If ever I wanted to smoke in the house she would object. She used to tell the children not to take any notice of their father when I ventured to correct them. She always allowed the boys to do as they liked, but she was severe and strict witli the girls. "To live in the house and see my four sens practically setting me at-dtt fiance at the instigation of their mother was more than I could stand. So 1 bookfcd a passage to New Zealand and cleared out from Home in 1909, taking with me only my personal effects and £5 in cash. I left the home' well furnished. Everything in it was unencumbered. I left my wife the business, which had produced a good living for.us all. I knew that my wife and children would do all right with the partner which I had taken' into the business shortly before I left. "On arrival in New Zealand I immediately found employment, and have never been idle a week since then. I am at present manager of a wine and spirit business in the city." Smith added that after coming to Auckland in 1912 he took up church work at St. Paul's, and it was while working for a bazaar there that he met his second wife, who had a stall at the bazaar. She was a widow, and this acquaintance resulted in his giving her assistance in carrying on her business in Karangahape Road. After some time she gave him to understand that if he cared to continue to assist her she was willing to give' him" a financial interest in the business. As the business afterwards got beyond her control, and the employees were not doing the right thing' by her during her abserice, he agreed to the proposition. Things went on all right, but folk began to talk. This talk was bad for business, so both decided to marry. "This marriage was more a business arrangement on both sides," Smith, said. "Still, >I have no reason to regret it beyond the fact that I have in the eyes of the law committed the offence of bigamy, which I now realise I must bo prepared to pay for by serving the sentence the Court decides on. I am prepared to serve it faithfully. My present wife is 65, and is in bad health, and needs the protection I can pive her, and which I will continue to give so long as it is her wish." »

Accused's first wife, in her statement, said that her husband opened a small shop in Hereford as an egg and poultry dealer. He took in a partner, but the partnership only lasted two or tliroe months. Smith then absconding and leaving his partner involved in liabilities to the extent of £3OO. It was part of this money that enabled! Smith to leave the district in 1909."