UNHAPPY MARRIAGES.

Auckland Star, Volume LVI, Issue 185, 7 August 1925, Page 5

UNHAPPY MARRIAGES.

CROP OF DIVORCES. NUMEROUS UNDEFENDED PETITIONS. The attention of Mr. Justice Herdman was occupied throughout the whole of the morning session at the Supreme Court to-day in hearing undefended petitions for divorce. .Separation for a period of three years or over was the ground on which decrees were granted in each of the following cases: Alice Julia Poutu (Mr. Kirker) v. Koinene Poutu. married 1918, one child: Olive Augusta Connolly (Mr. Matthews} v. William Robert Connolly, three children; Elsie Campl>ell (Mr. Blomfield) v. Newton Campbell, married 1912. respondent deserting in 1921: Charles Edward New {Mr. Fotheringhani) v. Kate Adelaide New, married, 1907, respondent deserting in 1914: James Dundonald Cullen (Mr. Valleneel v. Grace Culleii. married 1922: (live Leland. or Leyland (Mr. lonian i v. Mary Annie Leland. married 1592. separated 1922: Archibald Harold Brink .lessen (Mr. West) v. Iris Linda Ivy .lessen, married 1913, four children, separated at Thames in 1922; Helen Clara Rivere (Mr. West) v. Albert Edward Rivers, married June. 1915. two children, separated June, 1922. Misconduct Alleged. Henry Edwards (Mr. Matthews) sought a divorce from Rachel Jane j Edwards, whom he married in li) 14. He stated that they had had several separations and reunions because of a third party, and ultimately respondent deserted, having since lived witli another man. A decree nisi was granted. Arthur Leonard Felton (Mr. Vallance) sought a divorce from Christina Lauther Fulton Felton: alleging that, since their separation in 1922. respondent had lived with another man. They were married in I!U3, and there were two children. A decree nisi was granted. In asking for a decree nisi in respect of his marriage with Margaret Veronica Keane, Alfred Keane (Mr. Yallance) stated that the marriage took place in 191(5. A deed of separation was entered into in November, 1924. Petitioner had since found that respondent had been guilty of misconduct. Failure to Comply. Failure to comply with orders for restitution of conjugal rights resulted in decrees being granted in the following cases: —Donald Walter McDonald (Mr. Armstead) v. Annie Maud McDonald, Charles Henry Scott (Mr. McLiver) v. Florence * Edith Margaret Scott. Joseph Tiller Motion v. Berenice Mabel Motion. Knocked Her About. Since she had married Korone Toki in 1914 he had always been a heavy drinker, and had knocked her about, said Edith \Toki (Mr. Matthews) in! seeking a decree nisi. It was five years since they had lived as man and wife. "He was always hammering at mc, and seldom gave mc any money. When lie did it would not be more 'than ten shillings. -, A decree nisi was granted. • "He was habitually drinking,"' said Alma Edith Frith (Mr Hogben) in referring to John Henry Fpith. of Napier, whom she sought to divorce. "I see that he"s a tea merchant," observed his Honor. (Laughter.) They were married in 1919 at Hamilton, said petitioner, but respondent had been habitually drunk, and she had been compelled to support herself to a large extenft •< " *' ' "He never had any money, and T had to earn it and pay for what we had." A decree nisi was granted. Husband's Bad Habits. Harriet Earl Bell (Mr. Northcroft) sought to have her marriage with Cyril i Forster Bell dissolved. It took place in 1594. and there was one child. Petijtioner stated that respondent's drinking ; habits caused the breaking up of the ; home in 1918. Since 1919 she had maini tamed herself, and had not seen resj pondent. who had gone steadily downhill. A decree nisi, with the custody of the child, aged 18 years, was granted. Percy James Hall (Mr. Jordan! I applied for an order for restitution of conjugal rights. In 1918 he married j Annie Alexander Hall, but she had now I left him. stating that she was tired of I married life. I An order, to be obeyed with 14 days. was issued. A SAILOR'S WIFE. "Tn mis I signed on in England for i service in the New Zealand Division- of i the Royal Navy," said Frank RobertI shaw (Mr. Flynnk who asked for a j divorce from Dorothy Gillis Robertshaw. j"I came out to New Zealand, but my I wife declined the Government's offer of j a free passage, and would not leave j home." A decree nisi was granted. i