SAID HIS WIFE WAS DEAD

Gisborne Times, Volume XLIX, Issue 4758, 4 January 1918, Page 6

SAID HIS WIFE WAS DEAD

FALSE FUNERAL CARD RUSE.

In a case of wife desertion heard 1 at Blackpool it was stated that the defendant, George V. Hawkfen, a discharged soldier, who is now a munition worker, endeavoured to gain the consent of a single woman to marry him by moans of a false funeral card. The wife was present in court and gave evidence against him. The parties were married in 1912, but never got on_well together. The wife hearing of his attachment to another woman at Accrington, went over and found that her husband had given the woman a ring, a photograph of her self, and a funeral card which read:— j In loving memory of Hannah Hawken the beloved wife of George V. Hawken. who departed this life December 8, 1916, aged 32 years, and was interred; at Layton Cemetarv, Blackpool, December 11. 1916. Though she has gone and we shall miss her. Never will her memory fade; Cherished thoughts will never linger Round the spot where she is laid. Her end was peace. The reading of the card r provoked* a loud outburst of laughter,' in which the Magistrate and Mrs Hawiken'a joined, hut the defendant maintained a solemn d'emeanour throughout. Tlie bench ordered him to contribute- 10s weekly towards the maintenance of “liis wife and l child.