AN UNHAPPY MARRIAGE.

Auckland Star, Volume LVII, Issue 209, 3 September 1926, Page 6

AN UNHAPPY MARRIAGE.

WIFE A HEAVY DRINKER. "SMASHED THE FURNITURE." An unhappy marriage was brought before Mr. Justice Herdman in the Supreme Court this morning in the nature of an undefended divorce.

Married in 1883, Joseph Buckley (Mr. Singer) found soon after the ceremony that his wife, Catherine Alladina Buckley (Mr. Sullivan) was addicted to drink. She used to drink so much that she became violent. On one occasion she had smashed the furniture and cut up the bedclothes. About five years ago she got an axe and split the panels of the bedroom door. The petitioner expressed himself as having been afraid of her. In 1915 she began to stay out all night, and he had often found her in the morning in a drunken state. She neglected the house and petitioner. The respondent was arrested on three occasions for drunkenness, and although she had been sent to a home, it did not improve her. About eight months azo she packed her bags and left the house, and had not returned.

Mr. Sullivan, stated that he had been instructed to withdraw the defence, but he would like to say that the respondent would only admit to drinking for a period of four years. She started to drink for her health. The facts were admitted because the six children of the marriage were all in good positions, and it was desired tliat they should not be called. His Honor granted a decree nisi.