RICHARDSON DIVORCE CASE

Greymouth Evening Star, 14 August 1933, Page 7

RICHARDSON DIVORCE CASE

THE WIPE'S DENIALS THE OTHER WOMAN’S LETTERS [SPECIAL TO “STAB.”] AUCKLAND, August 14. The Richardson case was continued this morning. The wife said there was nothing in the world between her and Jenkins at any time. After she left home she heard rumours concerning her husband’s conduct, and on a solicitor’s advice .she went up to Tepaki. She went in Jenkins’ car, because at that time her brother was negotiating to purchase it.

L Continuing, respondent related that * when attempting at the homestead to effect a reconciliation with petitioner, the telephone rang, and it was a woman living near Tepaki calling up. Witness heard Richardson say “they are here now. I’ll be down in about half an hour.” Her husband told her he had to take a sick Maori away in his car.. .He left about. 7 .p.m., and had not returned at 11.30. While in ,the house, respondent saw 30 or 40 fetters in the desk, and read one (produced) written by Betty Kember. which referred to a.secret engagement, and in which the girl said she would marry Richardson so soon as he was free. Respondent was surprised because she had not expected Io find anything of this kind. The next day she took other letters (produced). She and her husband discussed living together again. For the sake of the children she was prepared to go back, but Richardson said he was going to be boss, and mentioned the rules he was going to lay down. One was that her people were not to come and see her, and that she was not. to go off the Tepaki property for three years. When she asked him on his honour what there was between him and Betty Kember, he said absolutely nothing,.

and respondent replied, “Well, if that’s all you have to say to me its no use me staying.” She spoke to him several times about going back, but there was never any suggestion he "wanted her. and whenever she wrote to him afterwards suggesting it, he would write about a divorce and separation. In November when she left Tepaki, respondent said, she had A PAINFUL INTERVIEW

with her husband. He told her his father (Sir George), three days before he came up on a visit to Tepaki, had gone to ;see a solicitor about a divorce.

Respondent then related incidents connected with her stay at the Waipapakauri Hotel, that same night last November. She reached there with her brother at 9.30 o’clock, not 7.30, as stated by the licensee. As the latter opened the door to show her to a room. Jenkins walked up the passage. Respondent being surprised exclaimed “Good Heavens, what are you doing here?” He told her he was on the way to Tepaki. She and her brother were talking in the room later, when Jenkins knocked, and came in. The latter asked why she was so upset, and she told him about the trouble with her husband. She showed Jenkins one of Betty Kember’s letters. After reading it, he said it was horrible. The licensee brought some refreshments for which her brother paid. After telling him and Jenkins she was tired and wanted to go to bed, she locked the door and retired.

Asked by Mr Singer (her counsel) if there were any suggestion she was alone in the bedroom at any time with Jenkins witness replied, “No, it’s a lie. Nor have I been alone at any time with Jenkins in private.”