DIVORCE SUIT

Press, Volume CVIII, Issue 31728, 11 July 1968, Page 18

DIVORCE SUIT

Judge Grants Decree A decree nisi in divorce was granted by Mr Justice Macarthur in the Supreme Court yesterday to Joy May Williams (Mr P. H. T. Alpers) against her husband, Lloyd Gordon Williams, a motorvehicle dealer (Mr B. J. Drake). His Honour held that the respondent committed adultery with Lynda Roberta Wright aboard his motor launch while on a camping holiday at Kaiteriteri last January. His Honour held that there had been a clandestine arrangement by Mr Williams for Miss Wright to accompany him on the holiday to help look after his children, after his wife had declined to go. Both Mr Williams and Miss Wright (Mr R. L. Kerr), in evidence, had disputed any secrecy in their arrangement, and, while admitting they had both slept aboard the launch, denied that adultery had occurred between them on the night of January 20-21, as claimed.

His Honour, referring to Mr Kerr’s submission for the suppression of Miss Wright’s name- said that he bad no power, under section 84 of the Matrimonial Proceedings Act, to order a limited prohibition of that kind. “And even if the section were dearer, I would still say that I have doubt that it is a power that ought to be exercised,” his Honour said.

As to any inherent jurisdiction for a judgd to suppress a name in such a suit, said his Honour, counsel had produced no authority in law. And his Honour said he himself knew of none.