DIVORCE COURT

Evening Post, Volume CV, Issue 124, 26 May 1923, Page 9

DIVORCE COURT

UNDEFENDED PETITIONS HEARD

Undefended petitions for divorce were considered by Mr. Justice Hosking at the Supreme Court to-day. AFTER THIRTY YEARS. Charles Ernest Tucker asked .for a dissolution of his marriage with Blanche Tucker. Petitioner, who was represented by Mr. O. C. Muzengarb, said that he was married on 10th October, 1893, and after that he lived at Totnes. There wiia one child, born in 1894. Witness said that he and his wife did not live happily together, his wife objecting, to-! his going shooting. His Honour: "Was she afraid you might shoot yourself?" Witness: "She didn't say." Mr. Miazengarb: "Some sects have an objection to killing, your- Honour." Witness said that six months after the marriage his wife left him on several occasions, giving no reason for her., action. Towards the end of 1894 his wife said she was tired of him, and was going to leave him. altogether. The statement was not taken seriously by tho witness, but it proved true enough. His wife went to live with her father and mother, but as his relationship with ; his wife's people was rather strained he did not go to the housn. His Honour: "Did you ever write to your wife?"—" No." ''Have you ever sent her any money?" —"No." "Have you ever provided any maintenanco for your child?"—"l left £5 fos.' the child."* "Nothing else?"—" No." His.Honour: "I think you've got off very lightly. You've paid nothing for the support of your wife and child for thirty years." Mi-. Mazengarb: "His wife deserted him, your Honour." His Honour: "I am not quite satisfied about that. I will consider tha matter," DESERTION. Desertion was the ground for the petition of Margaret Ellen Petherick against Herbert Bowman Petherick. The parties, said the petitioner, for whom Mr. W. E. Leicester appeared, were married in 1901, and 'had lived.in various parts of New Zealand. Just before the war they went to live at Lower Hutt. Her husband was working at Ngahauranga, but left for backblocks around Te Kuiti to do some contract work. During his absence he seat h,er only one remittance—£7. This was to support her and her family of seven children: Witness said it was ten years since she had lived with her husband. After hearing other evidence, his Honour granted a docree nisi. Anna Teresa Lee Collins asked for a divorce from Richard Percy Collins on the ground of desertion. Petitioner was represented by Mr. C. H- Taylor. After hearing evidence, his Honour granted a decree absolute, to be moved absolute in three months. Jane Martin (for < whom Mr. P. W. Jackson appeared) was granted a decree nisi against William Martin on the ground of mutual, separation.

Adultery was the ground alleged by William Frederick Harvey, who asked for a divorce from Gertrude Pauline Harvey. Petitioner was represented by Mr. H. F. O'Leary. His Honour granted the usual decree.

Bertie Smith (represented by Mr. W. B. Brown) asked for a divorce from Alice Smith on the ground that the respondent had not complied with an order for restitution of conjugal rights. His Honour ordered a decree nisi.

Separation for three years under a deed was advanced by Emily Stephenson (Mr. P. W. Jackson) as the ground of her application for a divorce from Wilfred Stephenson. A decree was granted by his Honour after he had heard evidence.

On the ground of desertion, William Tilbury (for whom Mr. E. R. Burridge appeared) asked for a divorce from Elsie Tilbury. Evidence was given that while the. parties were living at Masterton the wife left for Dunedig, and his Honour made the usual decree.

Mr. P. J. O'Regan appeared on behalf of Charlotte Amelia Fairchild, who sought a divorce from George Leo Fairchild on the ground of separation by mutual consent. After hearing evidence, his Honour adjourned ■ the petition in order that a point of law might be considered.