DELAYED DIVORCE.

Auckland Star, Volume LIV, Issue 267, 8 November 1923, Page 13

DELAYED DIVORCE.

AND A SECOND WIFE. AUCKLAND .MAN'S TROUBLES. There vras a ''human interest ,, touch t in the story cut William Thomson, form- , erlT <W Pukekohe, Frankton and Hainil- j ton, who pleaded guilty before his Honoi , Jlr. Justice Stringer at the Auckland i Supreme Court to a charge of ! leaving New Zealand during the currency °f a maintenance order without making adequate provision for his wife I and child. j "This man has had a very unfortunate ] experience," said Mr. MacDiarmid, i JYankton, on behalf oi Thomson. "For i FOniC years prior to the making of the ! order at Pukekohe in 1910. there had | bCPII very grave domestic trouble | between himself and his wife, and their I position was very unhappy. After the | separation and maintenance order, the 1 parties remained in different parts of the district. At the beginning of 1022, explained counsel, the accused determined to apply for a divorce on the ground of three years' separation, and on June 20th, j .1922, a decree nisi was granted. The I terms of the decree absolute were i arranged between counsel for the parties, but at that time no provision was asked or given for any security for maintenance. Unfortunately, Mrs. Thomson's counsel died and she engaged V new solicitor, who deemed it necessary ! ■before the decree absolute was sranted | to have security for payment of the alimony. Meanwhile Thomson, who had left sufficient funds to nay the maintenance up to the completion of the divorce, went off without leaving his address Under the impression that the decree would he granted absolutely in Reeemter. The accused "s in an extremely nervous condition about this time. n"d i lie was advised to cet nwav from hia • iroiihles and leave »w Zealand. J »rrnrn'in£rlv Tip went tn 'MVlboi'me nna (Volonß. whore V contracted s> rnnrrintr e with a woman who was very devoted to liim. "Not a Case for Punisnment." Counsel added that he and Mr. Northcroft, now Mrs. Thomson's solicitor, had j nezotiated a complete settlement for past and future maintenance, ample provision having been made. A sum of £1200, partly cash and partly securities, had been transferred to Mrs. Thomson, part of which money and securities had been found by the woman in Geelong with whom the irregular marriage had teen contracted. His Honor said that the case was one in which he should not subject the man to any punishment, and the ends of justice would be met simply by discharging him.