COUNT’S MARRIAGE

Greymouth Evening Star, 11 July 1925, Page 6

COUNT’S MARRIAGE

A STRANGE STORY. LONDON, July 9. There was an extraordinary case in the Divorce Court wherein the Italian Count, Jerome Valier, sought a decree for the nullity of a Registry Office marriage in 1916 to Maisie Davis, who counter petitioned on the grounds of Count Valier’s misconduct with the Marches! Balbi, whom Count Valier married in Italy in 1922 Sir E. Marshall Hall stated that Count Valier belonged to a noble fifteenth century family. He had been left without his parents in infancy. He found on coming of age, that his patrimony had been dissipated, so he came to England to earn his living. Later, he met Maisie Davis at a West End Club, and she suggested their marriage. She told him it was merely a form. She obtained a license and they were then married, she buying the ' ring and paying all the expenses. Later on Maisie Davis said to him : “You can get a divorce whenever you like!" They only met thirteen times since the marriage, which had never been consummated. Count Valier regarded the ceremony as being akin to the Italian custom of betrothal. He had subsequently found that the marriage was invalid in Italy, because it had not been registered there, so he went to Maisie Davis, saying that he was determined to gain his freedom. Sne has gone to America. Later on, she intimated to him that she had obtained a decree nisi. Count Valier then married the Marchioness Balbi, upon which, an old family feud was stirred up, and he was charged with bigamy, but the action was suspended! pending the present case. Count Valier gave evidence that he was unaware that he was signing n marriage certificate. He had never intended marrying Miss Davis, who had asked him to keep it a secret. Mr Justice Merrivale said that he was convinced the Count did not appreciate the nature of the ceremony. Therefore was entitled to a nullity decree.

The counter petition was dismissed, but the Judge granted Miss Davis her costs.