PETITION FOR DIVORCE

Evening Post, Volume CXXX, Issue 143, 13 December 1940, Page 9

PETITION FOR DIVORCE

HUSBAND'S EVIDENCE

QUESTION OF SECURITY

The evidence of Sydney Roland Wellington Powell, a dentist, of Wellington, in support of his petition for divorce against Gertrude Pauline Powell, on the ground of separation, was continued in the Supreme Court today, the fourth day of the hearing. The petitioner was ordered to find further security for his-wife's costs if the case was to be continued.

Mr. Justice Blair is presiding.;,' Mr. W. P. Pringle is appearing for the petitioner, and Mr. W. E. Leicester for the respondent.

The case was originally set down for two days, and the petitioner had given 35 guineas as security for his wife's costs. Because of the protracted hearing, Mr. Leicester applied yesterday for an increase in security, and when the Court resumed today his Honour said the petitioner would have to find a further £25 security by the time the Court resumed this afternoon, or the case would not continue.

Continuing his evidence yesterday afternoon and today, the petitioner said his wife had a most ungovernable temper, and it was almost impossible for him to get on with her, especially in 1937 (the year of separation). She had destroyed a valuable collection of musical compositions and songs, manuscript poems he had written, and other poems. "I have written poems which I have been told will stand the te.st of time," said the petitioner.

He had never used violence to the respondent, although once he pulled [her nose because she called his mother a "dirty low cook." His wife, whom [he had seen drunk on the ground at | Otaki, Courtenay Place, and Oriental Bay, had a cast-iron throat, and even i drank the surgery whisky neat. She ■ was also an inveterate smoker. She had frequently threatened to leave him. She sometimes used to do "devil" ' dances with himself as the central character, and she used to go down on her knees, curse, and ask God to destroy him. The petitioner said he had always provided for his wife. If there was any money available she had it before he got anything. He engaged a shorthand writer named Campbell in 1935, and Campbell slept in a room which adjoined the combined surgery and flat: Asked whether he kept the microphone switched off while he in-, furiated his wife and then switched it on for her replies, the petitioner said the microphone had no switch —the wires went straight through to Campbell's room. (Proceeding.)