DIVORCE GRANTED.

Auckland Star, Volume LXXI, Issue 93, 19 April 1940, Page 8

DIVORCE GRANTED.

MAORI WIFE'S LAPSE. An explanation that the cane had been called earlier in the session but deferred on a technicality was made to Mr. Justice Ostler in the Supreme Court to-day, when William John Gardiner (Mr. Xoble), petitioned for divorce from Ihapatuwhakairi Gardiner (Mr. Henry), on the ground of her adultery with William Wellington.

Having regard to the -wife being a Maori, Mr. Just ion Callan had deferred the hearing pending the translation of the petition into the native language, said Mr. Henry. Counsel went on to say that the respondent had had an English education and had herself read over the petition in English to him and discussed it with a full knowledge of its meaning. She said she had no wish to enter a defence. ( His Honor agreed that this satisfied requirements of the Act. and petitioner testified that lie married respondent at the office in Auckland, in October, 1933. In June, 1935 ? she left him, and recently he called on her :»t a house in Auckland, where he found her living as the wife of the co-respondent. There were no children of -the marriage. The respondent admitted to him her cohabitation with co-respondent.

A written admission by the respondent was supported by a statement by her counsel, and a decree nisi wae granted.