DIVORCE PROCEEDINGS.

Auckland Star, Volume XLIX, Issue 45, 21 February 1918, Page 2

DIVORCE PROCEEDINGS.

)&'• SOLDIER'S PETITION. "A -petition for divorce was heard at the Supreme Court this morning before his Honor Mr Justice Cooper and a jury of twelve. The petitioner was William Henry Chappell, now of Ohrißtnhurch, I lately a member of the Expeditionary i Force, and the respondent Sarah Tyler ; ChappelL >Ir H. H. Ostler appeared for petitioner, and Mr R. A. Singer for respondent. The petitioner's statement was to the effect that on May 3, 1901, he was married to respondent at Auckland. There ■were no children. He alleged that about !May 1, 1904, respondent deserted him ;ind had livod away from him ever since. : He asked, therefore, for a dissolution of the marriage. | The respondent denied that she had' •wilfully deserted petitioner without just cause. ' ■ ~Mt Ostler stated that after respondent left petitioner the latter had on a num-1 i"her of occasions asked her to return, but she had refused to do so. In 1907 respon- j dent gave birth to a child, which she | registered as Mr, but "whose parentage lie denied. On May 7, 1908, she gave birth to another child, which she registered as illegitimate. Petitioner, who has been wounded at the front, on going into the box, was seized with a fit, to which he has been subject since his return, and the case was adjourned till mid-day. When the Court resumed Mr Singer announced that after consulting his client he was instructed to withdraw the answer, and to admit the marriage and desertion which had been alleged. Mr' Singer handed into the Court a written ■ admission to this effect by the respon-, dent, whereupon his Honor directed the j jury to find that the respondent had deserted petitioner without just cause! for a period of upwards of five years. ; The jury found as directed, and his Honor announced that a decree nisi would be granted, to be moved absolute in three months.