A DIVORCE CASE.

Evening Post, Volume XXVIII, Issue 43, 19 August 1884, Page 2

A DIVORCE CASE.

[BT TIUQBAPH.J (From our own Correspondent.) CURIBTCHDECH, THIS DAT. In the Divorce Court yesterday in the case of Towlo v. Towle and others, Jndge JohnEton reserved his deoison till 22nd December. The question of the domicile of the petitioner had been examined by commission. His Honour had no opportunity for examination as to collusion. Bio Watson said he knew Honry Frances Towlo, who must have boen here threo or four years before his marriage The marriago was by license on U4th Maroh, 1879. The wife's name was Jane Hall, deEcribod rs a spinster. They lived in Christchnroh for a course of yoirß after marriage. He was teaching music, and acting organist at the St. Patrick's. Bree, a labourer, who resided in Wellington, knew the petitioner and Mrs. Towle in April last. She was at the Star Hotel, Wellington. Mrs. Towle was there as barmaid. Her husband was staying at the National Hotel. Towle and others told witness Mrs. Towle was there employed as barmaid. He remembered the night of 2lßt April. There was a bar upstairs in the billiard-room. Mrs. Towlo used to go np about half-past 7 and open that bar. Witness went to his bedroom abont half-past 112, and was in it whon anothor gentleman was shown upstairs ; his namo was J. H. Walker. Mrs. Towle was at that time in the billiard-room. Walkor asked if there would be anyone about that night to disturb him. The barman Baid there would be no one abont, and asked if the bedroom Walker was shown into would suit^Valker. He said it would. About 20 minutes to Ihe saw Mrs. Towle go into her own room, whioh was not quite opposite the room where Walker was She remained there ten minutos, and then oamo out and went into Walker's room, where she stayed till 7 o'olook in the morning. Witness was about all the time watohing her, partly because he was instructed by Towle to watch her. Ho saw Mrs. Towle attempt to oome out of Walker's room in the morning, but when she saw witness she wont in again. Walker then oamo out and enquired where his boots were. Mra. Towlo afterwards asked witness what business he had at the hotel. Ho told her he was a boarder. She said she knew what business ho hod there from the day he oame. Witness made no reply. She said that that she heard Towle had put witness there. To his Honour — Ho was out of employment at the time. Towle was directed to him by a deteotivo or sergeant of police He went to them for a person who would watch. He had been na.v vying, working in a timber yard, driving horses, &0., but nad been out of employment abont soron weeks previously. He had beon working at Dnnedin, and had applied to join the force, and had been recommended by Inspootor Woldon— That was how he had got known to the police. Ho had not known Towle before he had paid him for this job. To counsel — Tho same morning abont halfEast 10 Mrs. Towle oamo ont from behind the ar with a whip behind her baok ; she made an attempt and raised her hand. I walked away, and part of tho blow canght me just round the neck. Howell Young, solicitor, said he had written to To trie at Brisbane, and within the last week had received a remittance from him there. When the proceedings oommenoed, Towle was in Now Zealand, and it was intended the trial should oome on at tho June sittirgs before the Opera Company, with which Towlo was oonnected, left the colony. It was impossible to bring the case to trial before tho company left New Zealand. This was all the evidence. Thore was no appearance on the parb of the respondents.