SAVING FOR WOMAN’S DIVORCE

Dominion, Volume 29, Issue 225, 19 June 1936, Page 7

SAVING FOR WOMAN’S DIVORCE

Unusual Story Revealed In

Court

By Telegraph—Press Association Auckland, June 18.

An unusual story was unfolded in the Magistrate’s Court to-day when a single man and a married woman admitted having gone through a form of marriage in order to save enough money for the latter to secure a divorce from her husband. Accused were Mrs. Florence May, 23 years of age, and John Rodger, 28 years of age. John William May, on sustenance, said he had returned to live with his wife during the past week. They were married in September, 1931. In February, 1935, his wife obtained a separation order at Thames, and he had since paid her £1 weekly maintenance. Last year he visited his wife in a flat at Auckland, having ascertained that she was living there under the name of "Mrs. Rodger.” Rodger arrived and they - had tea together. Witness added he intended to stand by his wife irrespective of the out-, come of these proceedings. 1 A detective gave evidence that both accused had been very frank. Both pleaded guilty and were committed to the Supreme Court for sentence.

Rodger pleaded guilty to a further charge of making a false statement to the Unemployment Board in declaring that he was a married man. A detective said that as a result of being paid as a married man Rodger obtained sums totalling £26/10/- in excess of what he was entitled bo. “Rodger was remanded for sentence on this charge until after he had been dealt with by the Supreme Court on the other charge.