A DIVORCE CASE.

Grey River Argus, Volume XXXIII, Issue 5559, 29 July 1886, Page 2

A DIVORCE CASE.

MILLS V. MILLS.

(united press association.) Dunedin, July 28. In the divorce case Mills v. Mills and Ferrier, evidence was taken on commission in Melbourne and handed into the Judge, but was not read. Acts of criminality were proved to have been committed at Wangaratta, Melbourne, and Williamstown. The parties went home by the Orient steamer under assumed names. A detective went on board the same vessel and served them with a citation as they landed at London. Dennison, who appeared for petitioner, contended that as there was nothiug to show collusion there was no reason, in the absence of a statutory provision to the contrary, why a decree should not be granted in the absence of petitioner. The court took time to consider whether the petitioner's attendance could be dispensed with. Neither respondent nor co-respondent was represented. The Hon. G. M'Lean testified that important business had called the petitioner from the colony, and his return was indefinite. Messrs Pym and Spring, who were on intimate terms with the parties, testified 1 that the relations between petitioner and his wife had always been most amiable, and they never suspected anything wrong. Letters received stated that Ferrier and respondent were living together in London. The Judge said a very clear case had been made out. The question was whether the petitioner was guilty of connivance, collusion, or condonation. The evidence negatived any idea of the sort, but still it was a question whether the petitioner shou'd not bo called to answer whetfcav any orange en ent had been come to for j bringing th 9 suit. Mr Denniston contended that there could be no condor*..- i tion of tho proceedings since they were j commenced, and these were begun as soon as the petitioner knew of the adultery,

THE NATIVE RESERVES DEPUTATION.

[prom our correspondent.! Wellington, July 28. Messrs Petrie and Jones, the deputation from Greymouth re the Native Reserves Bill, have had an interview with Messrs Lahman and Guinness as to the Bill and the amendments proposed by Mr Guinness. After the amendments were fully discussed and explained by Mr Guinness, the deputation entirely agreed with the amendments, together with an additional clause suggested by Sir J. Yogel to Mr Guinness. At the request of the deputation Mr Guinness has made an appointment with the Premier to meet the deputation at 10 o'clock to-morrow. A full report of the interview by a shorthand writer will be forwarded to you for the information of your readers.