AIRMAN'S DIVORCE.

Gisborne Times, Volume LXVIII, Issue 10739, 9 November 1928, Page 6

AIRMAN'S DIVORCE.

1C INGSFOR D-SMITH ’ S MARITAL TROUBLES) -

WIFE ADMITS BEING IN LOVE y WITH ANOTHER MAN. ■ “

PETITION GRANTED.,

"(Special To The. Times). - AUCKLAND, Nov. 17

l A cable last weak from * Sydney stated Squadron-Leader lOngsfofd Smith,, hero of the Pacific - and Tasman flights, was successful in his petition for a divorce, from his wife. The suit, was not defended.-

i ;The ground, on which'the petition was based was desertion and Squad-ron-Leader Kingsford Smith made it clear that he did not. make -any accusation of misconduct against his •wife.’". In his. evidence, he said .that while in Western Australia he complained of his wife’s coolness,. and she then admitted. that,, she) was in love with another man.... Slie told him that she did not care for him, and that anything he could do would not regain her affections.; Correspondence had passed between him and his w.fe, but ho could: not m duce her to return to hirr> v ;

Petitioner said that at-,’Xrans 1925 he. wrote, to his wife as follows': “1 am writing again to' ask you to come back to me. hut if you. are determined net to do so. you might at least write and tell me that.. One does not like one’s letters to be ignored 1 . If you are willing-to return I can offer you at least a home.”

An unusual feature of the case was that Squadron-Leader Kingsford Smith lind said he desired to make a gift of £250 to his wife. Such a gift had been suggested by his wife’s mother, and he willingly fell in with the idea. However, lie had not paid the money, as he was afraid« that that might prejudice, him in; liis divorce action.' Collusion might have been suspected. : The judge, said that although the decision . was an unusual one he did not see that there .was anything improper about it. . ■ Squadron-Leader Kingsford Smith and Flight Lieut. Ulm. who-will probably be accompanied by tile remaining' members of the crew who took na.rt in the Tasman flight expect to 'eave Sydney for IT.S.A. on December .8. They are likely to -ship the Southern Cross and fly-from Honolulu to San Francisco. They say that it would be a great triumph to arrive at San Frr.ne’seo by air, seeing that they set out from there in Jump last, prepared to win or lose all. )