DIVORCE PETITION FAILS

Press, Volume LXXXVI, Issue 26198, 23 August 1950, Page 8

DIVORCE PETITION FAILS

JUDGE’S SUMMING UP IN AUCKLAND CASE (New Zealand Press Association) AUCKLAND. August 22. After a retirement of 45 minutes today a jury in the Supreme Court found that no adultery had been committed between Ernest Edward Corley, sen., a carrier, and his daughter-in-law, Ailsa Corley. Accordingly the petition for divorce by Ernest Edward Cor’ey, jun.. a carrier, against Ailsa Corley on the ground of adultery failed, and the claim for £lOOO damages against Corley, sen., who was named as co-respondent, also failed. The hearing, which was conducted before Mr Justice Callan, began yesterday. ‘This is a very disgraceful and painful case.” said his Honour. “I have been 15 years a Judge, and I have heard many divorce (feses. but I say •without hesitation that I can remember nothing qu«te as bad as this.

“If it i«s really true what is alleged against this young woman and her middle-aged father-in-law. then their immorality and disregard of their —latrimonial vows is disgusting ano disgraceful in the evtreme and such as must necessarily c hake anyone who retains any sense of nropriety in these matters at all. On the other hand, if It is not true, there is no possible escape that four persons have wickedly committed perjury in the box.” In dismissing the petition and claim, his Honour awarded costs on the higher scale against the petitioner.