DECREE ISSUED

Evening Post, Volume CXIX, Issue 51, 1 March 1935, Page 4

DECREE ISSUED

DIVORCE TANGLE

(By Telegraph—Press Association.)

. AUCKLAND, February 28. The name of the. second Baron Waleran, who-from 1927 to iS3owas second secretary to Sir Charles Fergusson, Governor-General of New Zealand, was mentioned in a divorce petition before Mr. Justice -Herdman in the Supreme Court. Evidence showed that Lord Waleran divorced Lady Waleran last year in London on account of the man who was respondent in the case before his Honour. ■ Petitioner was Muriel Bates. Hoyes, who sought a divorce from Rex Morley Hoyes, on the ground of his misconduct. The petition was undefend-

cd. Mrs. Hoyes said she was married in June, 1925, and in December, 1932, she and her husband left New Zealand for London. He had to go there on business, and it was their intention to return to New Zealand when the business was completed. They lived together in London until August, 1933, when her husband went to America with Lord and Lady Waleran. Her husband returned with Lady Waleran, but she had not seen him since.

Witness produced a letter written to her by her husband in December, 1933, and said that the "Pat" referred to in it was Lady Waleran. Mr. R. H. Mackay, solicitor for the petitioner, produced a certified copy of a decree nisi granted by the Probate Division of the High Court of- Justice, London, on May 17, 1934. It showed that Lord Waleran obtained a divorce from Lady Waleran on the ground of her misconduct with Rex Morley Hoyes. Witness said he knew Hoyes and was able to swear that he was the person referred to in the record. He was either in Minorca or in London at the present.time. Petitioner, recalled, said she was in London' at the time of these divorce proceedings, and knew as a fact that her husband was co-respondent in them. His. Honour issued a decree, to be made absolute after three months, and allowed costs on the highest scale.