BIGAMY.

Auckland Star, Volume XLVII, Issue 155, 30 June 1916, Page 6

BIGAMY.

AN 1 AUCKLAND CASE. RETLRBD FARMER AND YOUNG GIRL. MET AT MATRIMONIAL AGENCY. A case of bigamy, in which the contracting parties at the false marriage were a retired fanner, 48 years of age, and a young girl of 18 years, came before Mr. E. C. Cutten, S.M., at the Auckland Police Court this morning. The evidence showed that the guilty party was the man, who had been living with bis wife and family in Auckland, but met the girl at a matrimonial agency in the city in April, and went through the form of marriage with her in May at the marriage registrar's office under an assumed name. After a brief honeymoon of a few days in the Hamilton district, tne man was arrested. When the case was called this morning, the accused (Alfred Clarence Mitchell) was charged that on May 4, being already- married, he went through the form of marriage with Grace Appleby; and that on the same date he made a false declaration to the Registrar of Marriages for tig purpose of obtaining a marriage certificate. Mr. H. H. Ostler represented the accused. A DAUGHTER'S EVIDENCE. Ivy Mitchell, daughter of accused, stated that ehe would be 20 years of age next month. All her life she had lived all but nine months with her parents. Her mother was Mrs Clara Mitchell, and during the 20 years, so far as witness knew, the accused and 'her mother had lived as man and wife. There were five children in the family. To Mr. Ostler: After her father had been arrested and got bail he returned to her mother's house and stayed theTe for some time before he went to the hospital to undergo an operation. Witness then knew of the present charge, having been informed by her mother. It was about a week he stayed at the house then, and during that time accused and her mother did not agree. A FRANK ADMISSION. Detective R. Cullen stated that on May 9 he had a conversation at the police station with accused, who admitted having committed bigamy, and having made a falee declaration to the Registrar of Marriages. He made a statement, which witness produced. In it accused admitted the offences, stating that although he was not generally a drinking man, he was at the time of the bigamous marriage suffering from the effects of drink, and didn't fully realise what he was doing. On June 24 accused stated that it was his intention to plead "Guilty" to the two charges, and he admitted that a copy of the certificate of iris original marriage in 1895 to Clara Lee at Wellington, was a true copy. Accused had been perfectly frank throughout the proceedings since his arrest. AT A MATRIMONIAL AGENCY. Grace Gertrude Rosetta Appleby, eighteen, years of .age, said she resided with he'r;lnb'theT at;.'Pcarl Street, Auckland. About the beginning of April this year witness and her mother were introduced to accused at Burnett's registry office, in the city. He waa introduced to her under the name of Burnett. Arrangements had been made for her to meet accused there. Later accused told them his name was Harry Ernest McDonald, and that he had given the name Burnett so that his people about Auckland would not know he had met witness at the registry office. Accused said lie was very well off, and that he had been a doctor only six months ago. BRIEF WEDDED BLISS. Witness became engaged to him, and the date of the marriage was arranged for May 4. On that date she met him at the Auckland Marriage Registrar's office, and they there went through the form of marriage before the deputy registrar of marriages. Witness produced the wedding ring . put on her finger on that date by accused. Her mother was a witness to the form of marriage. Accused signed the marriage certificate "Harry Ernest McDonald." She and accused left Auckland that day, and stayed at Frankton'Junction for the night. The following day they went on to Morrinsvillc, where the accused was arrested. A SIX WEEKS' ENGAGEMENT. Mr. Ostler: "You say you are only 18 years of age!— Yes. How do you know that!—l have been told that by my mother. You look older than that to mc. Did you ever doubt the age!— No. You have a sister?—l have two. What are their ages?— One is twentyone and one sixteen. Your sister who is twenty-one had her name entered at the matrimonial agency as well as you?— Yes. How long after he met you were you married ?—As near as I can remember it was about six weeks. THOUGHT HE WAS A DOCTOR. Did your people make any inquiries about him?—No, we trusted him. Your mother was a consenting party? —Yes. In reply to counsel, witness stated that on the brief honeymoon accused had acted to her as to a wife. In reply to the Chief Detective, she stated that she looked upon a doctor and a wealthy man as being truthful. Rosetta Appleby, mother of the previous witness, stated that she was a nurse. She corroborated her daughter as to the introduction to accused. The latter told her he had a big station at Gisborne, another at Nelson, and a farm at Matamata. He also said he was a retired doctor. A PLEA OF GUILTY. Ernest Livermore, deputy registrar of marriages at Auckland, said that in ,the course of application for the marriage certificate accused described himself as a bachelor who had been six months resi-l dent in Auckland, and signed the declaration as Hairy Ernest McDonald. He went through the form of marriage with Miss Appleby before witness on May 4. Accused pleaded guilty to both charges, and was committed to the Supreme Court.for sentence.