DEFENDED DIVORCE

Auckland Star, Volume LXVII, Issue 236, 5 October 1936, Page 8

DEFENDED DIVORCE

CLEVEDON FARMER'S SUIT. DENIAL OF MISCONDUCT. The defended divorce action in which James Graham Shaw, farmer, of Clevedon, alleges misconduct 011 the part of his wife, Olive Gladys Shaw, was continued to-day in the Supreme Court before Mr. Justice Johnston. Leslie Matthews, labourer, for whom Mr. V. R. Meredith appeared, was cited as corespondent. Mr. J. P. Dickson appeared for the petitioner, and Mr. Allan Moody for the respondent. In evidence this morning the respondent denied the allegations of misconduct. She stated that she was married to Shaw in 1927, having previously obtained a divorce on the ground of her then husband's failure to comply with an order for restitution of conjugal rights. From the start of her second marriage her husband ill-treated her. He had thrashed her and tied ]ier in a. room. In 1928 she took proceedings for separation and maintenance, but after her husband had been served with the summons she agreed to give tlie marriage another trial. Witness gave further evidence of her husband's alleged cruelty to her and objectionable language after she had returned to the home after an operation in 1935. Cross-examined, the respondent said that on one occasion in July, 1934, Matthews had come home drunk from a dance and she had smacked him on the face next morning. That was because he attempted to put his arms about her. Matthews left his employment at the farm the same day, hut came back later at her husband's request. The evidence of Maoris that she had misconducted herself with Matthews was quite untrue. Ernest Walter Bruce, called, by Mr. Meredith, said tliat from 1934 to 1935 he was a relief worker 011 a farm opposite Shaw's farm. He had heard Shaw's voice abusing his wife. • Evidence was given by Raymond Hopkins, butcher, that he had seen the respondent showing marks of illtreatment. (Proceeding.)