NOT DEAD.

Auckland Star, Volume XLV, Issue 168, 16 July 1914, Page 5

NOT DEAD.

BUT GONE BEFOBV* WIFE'S FAREWELL TO HUSBAXD. In the Supreme Court this morning, before Mr Justice Hosking, Js.rn.es Wellsman Mackenzie petitioned for a divorce from his wife, Jlargaret La Bona Mackenzie. Mr R. A. Singer appeared for petitioner. There was no appearance on behalf of respondent. Petitioner stated that he wae married to respondent, in February, 1899, They lived in Graham Street, and were happy for a time. Petitioner was a seafaring man. ;ind respondent began to go about with oilier men While he was away. Jlat- | ters came to a climax in 1901. On I returning from one of his trips the house I was empty. On the table was a letter, with a photo. There was on the latter the message: "Not dead, but gone before." Petitioner had been round-the ■world several times since. His wife had never returned. The home was still there tor his wife to come back to. He saw her once at her fathers, and asked fer to come back. She declined. Petitioner had posted her £2 10/ per montli regularly iiom whatever part of the world he had been in. James Tooliey. raiding in Williamson Avenue, stated that he and petitioner bird been friend, for 20 years. Petitioner and his wife came to live next door. Witness' wife and respondent became chummy, and vi?ited one another. Petitioner was away a. jrood deal;-"Witness thought them a very nice couple at fir?t, then he began to hear rumonrs about respondent from the neighbours. Later witness nailed up the boards of the fence between their houses, as he did not think respondent pood company for his wife. j Later on Mackenzie called witness out. j He was very distressed, and was crying. Witness went inside with petitioner, and saw the photo with i\\c message already referred to on the back of it. Petitioner sat up till one o'clock that night, hoping , his wife would return. Witness had never seen the woman since. J A decree nisi was granted, to be made j absolute in three months.-