DIVORCE CASE.

Auckland Star, Volume XXXVI, Issue 300, 16 December 1905, Page 7

DIVORCE CASE.

(Before Mr Justice Edwards.)

In the Auckland Supreme Court tbis jfiorning William Bradley petitioned for divorce from his wife Liex Jane Bradley on the ground of her alleged adultery with Robert Webby. Mr J. C. Martin for the petitioner.

Petitioner said he had been a. ganger on road and bridge works in the King Country. He married bis wife on February 11, 1882, his wife being 17 years of age and he 22, They lived to-, gether in Otago, Canterhury, Manawatu and the King Country. They had six children. Their married life was happy with nothing more than the usual clouds which arose on the domestic horizon till June, 1902, when the co-respondent, Webbv, became acquainted with them through the death of Mrs Webby. The petitioners work took him away fre : quentry for a week at a. time, and his wife at those times remained at home with the children. Up to January, 3903, he had no suspicions of anything wrong, but about that time witness went to Webby and told hini to be car?f_l -what he vras doing and study his own family and petitioner's. Subsequently he told Webby if he caught him a* his place again he would summon him for trespass. On March 23, in consequence'of what he was told he went to a place m the scrub pointed out to him on his property by some natives, and there he found his wife and Webby standing together. Petitioner rushed at Webby, but in doing so he tripped over a branch and fell down. Webby then assaulted him, and went away, taking his wife with him. Petitioner {prosecuted, Webby for assault, and a fine of £10* and coats was imposed. Webby and Mrs Bradley went away together to PiopiO, where Webby had a boardinghouse, and they resided there tiE the house was raided in a search for grog. They were both convicted of sly grogselling. They next went to Auckland, where they took quarters at a boardinghihise. . , John Pstoa Fierce, employed toy Mr Wilding, said he served divorce summonses on both parties in Karangahaperoad, where they were passing as "Mr aid Mrs Webby." Florence Pollock said "Mr and Mrs Webby" took a bedroom at her boardinghouse in Karangahape-road last September, and occupied it for some period. She thought they were-a married couple till the divorce proceedings -began, but then "Mrs Webby" admitted she was Mrs Bradley. Witness got rid of heiv His Honor granted a decree nisi, to be made absolute after three months, with costs.