A COURT SENSATION.

Auckland Star, Volume XXXVI, Issue 225, 20 September 1905, Page 3

A COURT SENSATION.

I INTERRUPTION IN A DIVORCE CASE (By Telegraph.—Press Association.) WELLINGTON, Tuesday. j At the Supreme Court to-day, Mr j Justice Cooper heard the application of I a young, attractive-looking woman.. named Clara Jeffreys, to be' released from marital obligations to Frances Henry Jeffreys, a butcher by trade, now serving a sentence of 18 months for forgery, in Wellington Prison. The grounds of the petition were that respondent was an habitual drunkard, had been guilty of frequent- acts*of cruelty to his wife, arid had frequently left her without means of support. Petitioner gave evidence that she was married to respondent at Wanganui in May, 1898. They, had known each other only three or four months. Subsequently they lived at Petone. Wellington, and the Hutt, and then he left her. Two children were born of the marriage. .Before they left' Wanganui, respondent commenced drinking, and came, home Tlrunk practically every night. This conduct began within two months of their marriage. While they were in Wanganui he attempted to cut her throat with a ra«». He was sharpening his razor-— "It's a %, Clara!" a well-dressed young woman screamed, from the gallery in piercing tones, and a voice tremulous with anger. "It's a lie, and you know better. I can't stand here and hear my brother maligned." His Honor: "If that woman.does not keep still, she must be removed." "I can't help it/ replied the offender, still speaking lotidlyj as if under the greatest excitement. "I am his sister, and I contradict eveijy word of it, Clara, and you know different;" His Honor: "Turn that-woman out if she : ' can't behave herself." Before the .ofljeers epnld carry out instructions, tbq woman ep.uld be heard rushing rapidly "jdownstairs, ©lit into the street. • :. ■-.-■ ■• i Calm being restored, the of petitioner was continued, and His i Honor granted a decree nisi.