A WIFE'S INFATUATION.

Auckland Star, Volume XLIV, Issue 29, 3 February 1913, Page 5

A WIFE'S INFATUATION.

LEADS TO THE BIVOB.CE COURT

DAMAGES AGAINST CO-KESK>:snDENT

An infatuation between a married woman named Mary Jane Coe and another passenger on the voyage from London, Peter Riley, "led to the former's husband, Robert C-oe, applying for a decree nisi against her. The. action was heard at the Supreme Court to-day before Mr. Justice Cooper. Mr. Walker appeared for petitioner, but neither respondent nor co-respondent was represented. The petitioner stated that the parties were married in the Old Country on Jan» vary 11, 1904. Some year 3 later they decided that they would make a borne for themselves in New Zealand, and on July 19, 1910, petitioner left England, trade being dull there at the time. Upon arriving here ne commenced to save money, and eventually established a home for his wife and the two <iildren of the marriage. He sent for his wife, and she came out as an assisted immigrant with her brother and co-respondent. The brother and Riley came to live with petitioner and his wife. They landed on the Monday, and on Thursday respondent left petitioner. Subsequently he found that she was living with co-respondent. He also ascertained that the pair had been misbehaving themselves on the vessel coming out, and also at Wellington. Petitioner had had to break up his home, and ! board out the children. He asked for I £250 damages against co-respondent and for the custody of the children. A private inquiry agent testified that when served with the papers neither respondent nor co-respondent had denied having been guilty of impropriety. Further evidence was to fhe effect that Mt3. Coe and Riley had taken a room at a boardinghouse as Tram and wife. The jury returned a verdict that respondent and co-respondent were guilty; of adultery, and awarded £250 damages. His Honor granted the decree nisi, and gave judgment for the fuD amount claimed against co-respondent, petitioner to take custody of the children. Costs were allowed op the lowest scale.