ALLEGED BIGAMY.

Auckland Star, Volume XXVII, Issue 272, 16 November 1896, Page 2

ALLEGED BIGAMY.

AN EXTRAORDINARY CASE.

In bbc charge of bigamy against Stephen Boscher, who has been committed for trial nb Wellington, tbe evidence showed thab he was married to Joeephino Libian at Lyttelton 17 years ago, and in 1892 married Mary Ann Recce, of Wellington. Before the second marriage bhe accused stated in reply to a question thab he had not previously been marriod, and the gaol warder produced a letter written by the accused since his confinement ab the gaol bo tbe second Mrs Boscher. This lobter admitted bhat the accused was married as stated in Lyttelton, bub asserted further that two years after thab marriage he had to go home to France on business. In France he was arrested for having failed to do his military duty, and for being naturalised in New Zealand without his parents' consent, and a sentence of three years' imprisonment was passed upon him, after serving part of which he was sent as a soldier to Africa, where he served five years, endeavouring all the time by letters to get tho British and New Zealand Governments to obbain his release. His letters, however, were never sent. Ultimately be returned to New Zealand, and on arrival wired to Akaroa, asking if his wife was still living, bo which he received a reply from her that she was married again. He then sent another telegram—" Shall I come or not," she answer to which was " No." He contidered that he and the second Mrs Boscher wore lawful man and wife. Accused was committed for trial.