BIGAMY ADMITTED

Auckland Star, Volume LXIII, Issue 168, 18 July 1932, Page 8

BIGAMY ADMITTED

THOUGHT WIFE DEAD.

CARTER'S ADMISSION

LETTERS FROM ENGLAND,

DETECTIVE'S TESTIMONY,

Pleading guilty at the Police Court tiiie morning to a charge of bigamy, Charles William Kitson, aged -IS, carter, of Narrow Neck, was committed to the Supreme Court for sentence. The charge against Kitson was that having, on February Hi, 1005, married Mary Emily Buxton, at Kuinberworth, County of 'York, England, on January ."id, 1921, he went through the form of marriage with Olive Ruth Baldwin, at Avondale. Olive Ruth Baldwin, aged 30, said that when she went through the form of marriage, with accused on January 30, 1024, ho signed the register as a bachelor. In March of this year he told her that ho had been married in 100.") in England, and that bis first wife was still alive. Since her marrk.ge to Kitson she had continuously lived with him. There wore three children of the marriage, aged 3, C and 7 years, amFanothcr was expected. "He has always been a hardworking man and good to myself and the children," added witness. Frank Admissions. Detectivo Allsopp, who interviewed Kitsor. on March 9, in connection with a "missing friend" inquiry from England, said Kitson admitted- that, he was the man sought and the person mentioned in the inquiry. Ho also identified the writing on the, inquiry form as being that of his wife. A letter which witness showed Kitson as having been received from England, Kitson said was one he had written to his wife. In this he stated that he was married and had a wife and two children. "A letter which Kitson recently received from his wife in England states that she would be sorry if he was brought up for bigamy," added Detective Allsopp. Counsel for accused: I think Kitson stands high in the community, and has never been in trouble before '! —That is quite so. He gave you every assistance in this matter? —Yes, ho was very frank. I think ho told you that he wrote twice in 1922, and again in 1023 to his wife in England, and also to her mother, and got no reply to any of these letters? —Y T es. All the children of his first marriage are all grown up and married? —Yes, the youngest is 24. Asked Wife To Join Him. In a statement which Detective Allsopp produced, Kitson said he left England on activo service in 1010, and after serving with the Royal Artillery, was discharged in January, 1910. He returned to his wife and family until September 10, 1921, when his wife obtained a separation against him. He had to pay ill 15/ per Meek. He later lost his position, and on August 4, 1022, left for New Zealand. Tn April, 1923, he jnct Olive Ruth Baldwin, and he married her in January of 1924. After being six months in New Zealand he wrote to his wife in England asking her to join him here. "I was under the impression that my wife was dead, as I had not heard from her for close on three years," the statement concluded.