SEPARATION PROCEEDINGS.

Hawera Star, Volume XLIX, 16 August 1929, Page 5

SEPARATION PROCEEDINGS.

JUDGMENT RESERVED. T!b© hearing of the applications by Ellen Godkin for separation, maintenance and guardianship orders against William Godkin, of New Plymouth and formerly oif Taurakawa, on the grounds of alleged failure to maintain and per sistent cruelty, was concluded at the Hawora Magistrate’s Court yesterday afternoon, before Mr J. H. Salmon. S.M. Evidence was given iby Mrs Jean Savage, of Stratford, that she had known complainant practically ever since tire latter’s arrival in New Zealand. and knew her to be a respectable woman, wiio carefully looked after her tw 0 children.

in opening defendant’s case, Mr A. K. North submitted that neither cruelty nor failure to maintain had been proven. Recently defendant’s f'atliei had died, and defendant was now in receipt of £-5 a week, which would go to the children when he died. This, defendant believed, was complainant's reason for wanting to get the children. Wilfred Mills, a Stratford jeweller, said that he had loft an hotel in that town because of complainant's conduct with other men when staying there. Dr. Doris Gordon, also qf Stratford, said that all the Godkins were •“peculiar,”, but that complainant hac! struck her as the worst. She appeared to ;b<> unbalanced and even dangerous. Defendant said that he had been satisfied with his wife’s conduct until about three years ago. He had always looked after her well and provided her with as much money as he could. He considered that his wife had! little love for the children.

To Mr O'Dea, ho denied that the children had got in aJ filthy condition while in lii.s care. He admitted that he had made statements about- her to other people. Mrs Amelia Rleielmrt, widow, residing in the country back of Stratford, said that while staying with Mr and Mi’s- Godkin. two or three/ years ago. the latter had said that she hoped one of her (complainant’s) children’s knee would get worse so that she would get a trip into Stratford. To Air O’Dea: She had not been mistaken about Airs Godkin’s remark.

Du! aim a Archer, 16-year-old niece of defendant, made allegations concerning complainant’s conduct whale in the Stratford hotel previously referred to. His Worship reserved his decision.