JUDGE'S POWERS

Evening Post, Volume CVI, Issue 55, 14 September 1928, Page 17

JUDGE'S POWERS

HEARING OF DIVORCE SUIT (By Telegraph.—Press Association.) . AUCKLAND, 13 th September. Details of a sensational attempted murder caso heard beforo Mr. Justice Beed iv Auckland last February were recalled iv divorce proceedings that came before him in the Supremo Court to-day. The petitioner was Honour Clarke Mackenzie, who sought a divorce from Laurence Mackenzie on the ground of drunkenness and cruelty. Counsel said the jury mercifully reduced the charge fromquo of attempted murder to one of. assault so as to cause actual fiodily. harip-. Respondent had attacked his wife, with a hammer in her sloop, and had thoii turned on the gas after stopping up the door and window. Ho was sentenced to three years' imprisonment. After hearing several witnesses, including petitioner and a son, aged thirteen, who wore lougthily cross-examin-ed by respondent, His Honour.said ho was not satisiied that -there, was .any evidence at all of habitual drunkenness, although he was satisftod that the parties ought to bo separated. ,He would like to help petitioner in every possible way to get free, but he could only act within the law. He gave counsel leave to withdraw the petition, leaving him free to take fresh proceedings.