MADE ABSOLUTE

Auckland Star, Volume LXXIII, Issue 206, 1 September 1942, Page 4

MADE ABSOLUTE

BELTON DIVORCE CUSTODY STOOD OVER The divorce action in which Charles Patrick Belton (Mr. Robinson) obtained a decree nisi of divorce from Joyce Doreen Belton (Mr. G. Skelton) and a verdict of £900 damages against James Meldrum Scarlett as co-respondent, was advanced a further stage to-day before Mr. Justice Fair, when Mr. Dickson, for petitioner, moved for and was granted a decree absolute. The question of the custody of the children is to be argued next Monday. Mr. Skelton submitted that there were some questions of costs which should be disposed of before petitioner was entitled to get his decree and he had come prepared to argue these points. Mr. Dickson said he desired to get the decree absolute decided to-day and to have the matter of costs gone into when the question of custody of the children was being decided next Monday, the date set down for hearing on that point. The granting of the decree absolute would not in any way prejudice respondent's or co-respondent's rights in respect to custody and costs. His Honor remarked that as Mr. Dickson had taken over the brief from Air. Robinson it seemed reasonable that he should have time to acquaint himself fully with the facts as to costs and custody. There seemed to he no objection to the petitioner obtaining his decree at the present time. It did not preclude the question of costs being fully considered later. The decree absolute would be made now and the questions as to costs and custod3' would be stood over till September 7.

In reply to Mr. Skelton, an assurance was given by Mr. Dickson that he would definitely be prepared to deal with the points of custody and costs next Monday.