DIVORCE COURT

Dominion, Volume 13, Issue 118, 12 February 1920, Page 6

DIVORCE COURT

• ORR v. ORE, In the Divorce Court yesterday His Honour Sir. Justice Ilosking heard the petition of Ethel Hannah Orr, who Bought a dissolution of her marriage witli John. Forbes Orr on the ground of desertion. Sir John Findlay, K.C., with him Mr. C. 11. Taylor, appeared for the' petitioner, and Mr. U. 11,I 1 , von Ilaast for the respondent. ■ Sir John Findlay stated that the parties were married at Wellington in April 1906, and had lived together for most of the time in W e "iugt oll ' Three weeks after the marriage respondent struck his wife, and he kept her short of funds. Thero wero alsq allegations of cruelty, ranging from kicking her out of bed and dragging her along tho floor to striking her in the face. In November, 190!), petitioner left her husband but returned shortly afterwards and lived with him for about a year. Thero was no improvement in tho conduct of respondent, and she left him again over nine years ago and had maintained herself ever since. Petitioner gave evidencp. She slated that her husband frequently opened the door and told her to clear out. lie had frequently kicked her out of bed on Sunday mornings because she did not get him his breakfast in bed as early as lie wanted it. On one occasion ho knocked her down and dragged her along the floor by her arms. She left him in November, 1910, sinpo when she had supported herself. Mr. von Ilaast, for tho respondent, said that tho petition ought to be refused on the ground that respondent had offered to resume relations with petitioner and treat her properly. His Honour, however, held that there was a case to answer. Respondent being stone deaf, His Honour adjourned the case sine die to enable the evidence to bo given by respondent to be presented in writing.