DIVORCE PETITION.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVIII, Issue 255, 27 October 1937, Page 16

DIVORCE PETITION.

l SEAMAN SUCCEEDS.

WIFE'S DEFENTE FAILS. On the ground of three years' separation by agreement, Duncan Keith Matheson (Mr. Matthews), seaman, petitioned for divorce from Evelyn (!ray Montgomery Matheson (Mr. Elwarth), of Sydney, before Mr. Justice Callan in the Supreme Court to-day. The respondent opposed the petition, alleging that the separation was brought about bv her husband's conduct toward* her.

The petitioner said he and respondent were married iri Scotland iu October. 1020. and iater came to Xew Zealand. At the present time he was in charge of the ketch Will Watch. There were three children of the marriage, two boys and a girl. The boy* were now with him and the girl was living with her mother ill Sydney, although the mother had come to Auckland in connection with the ease. An agreement to separate was. entered into on February 2. 1!>28. since when the parties had not lived together. He denied that he had done anything to bring about the unhappiness between them.

The respondent, in evidence, said she had suffered from ill-health and was convinced that on an occasion when she went for a holiday to the East Coast because of her health her husband did not want her back again.

His Honor said respondent had not satisfied the Court that the separation was caused bv the wrongful acts of the petitioner. He was prepared to believe life in the family home was made difficult through cause* for which the husband was not to blame.

A decree nisi was granted with the respondent'* costs ngainst the petitioner on the lowest scale.