SHIPBOARD ROMANCE

Evening Post, Volume CXXII, Issue 135, 4 December 1936, Page 14

SHIPBOARD ROMANCE

BIGAMOUS MARRIAGE

EX-STEWARD FOR SENTENCE

I {\'.f Telegr--h—Press .' ssociation.) AUCKLAND, December 3. A shipboard romance that culminated in a bigamous marriage was described in the Police Court today when Sydney Alfred Gorei aged 40, farm labourer, formerly a steward on the Rangitane, pleaded guilty to a charge that, having in September. 1920, married Charlotte Mary Golr?«Tiith in London, he went through a form of marriage in March, 1934, with Elizabeth Tait Watson in Auckland. Formal evidence was given by Mrs. Watson. Detective Hamilton said he interviewed Gore at Patumahoe on November 13 and told him his wife lin England had made a statement to the police. The accused said it was correct and he subsequently signed a statement in which he stated that he had lived happily with his wife until 1934. There were no children. His wife was 23 years older than he was and the marriage was hardly a success. When a steward on the Rangitane in 1933 he met Mrs. Watson, a passenger, and they became friendly. She stated that she was a widow and he told her he was a widower. Mrs. Watson accepted a proposal of marriage and when he returned next trip they went through a form of marriage in a private house at Remuera. They lived together until January last when owing to a difference he left with her consent. He had not returned since. "I still -love Mrs. Watson," said the accused, "and I am very sorry if any unhappiness has been caused her. If it is in my power I would willingly recompense her." 'Mr Wyvern Wilson, S.M., committed Gofe to the Supreme Court for sentence.