HAD NEVER MARRIED ANYONE EXCEPT WIFE

Horowhenua Chronicle, 28 September 1927, Page 3

HAD NEVER MARRIED ANYONE EXCEPT WIFE

I'HOTOGKAPHS CALLED IN

EVIDENCE

AUCKLAND MAINTENANCE CASE.

AUCKLAND, Last Night.

The John William Hope maintenance case was re-opened in the Police, Court. He was charged with being £l6O in arrears under a maintenance order made in favour of Annie Hope, of Sheffield, England. Accused, in evidence, denied that he had ever been in Sheffield in his life, and he had never married any other woman but his present wife, whose maiden name was Edith Alice Barnes, and whom he had married in England in July, 1923, coming out to New Zealand with her the following month. After his release from prison he and his wife intended going hack to England to straighten out the trouble. When working at the Manchester dpy docks ho met a man whose nanrwas also*John William Hope ami who resembled him in appearance. In 1916 when he was supposed to be at Sheffield he was at sea. Depositions made by Annie Hope, of Sheffield, stated that she married John William Hope in August, 1926. In July 1921, she obtained a maintenance order against her husband. In June ,1922, he obtained a variation of the order from 30/- to 26/a week. Payments ceased in August 1923. She received a letter from Annie Barnes, of Farmvorth, Lancashire, a sister of Edith Alice Barnes, stating that Hope married her sister at Bolton in July, 1 923. and that they had gone out to New Z- alkml. Evidence was given .by expert photographers concerning phonographs of the husband of Annie Hope, and those of accused. Three witness's, were not prepared to swear accused was the man photographed at the side of Annie Hope, and one said accused was not the man. Mr Sullivan, for accused, said his client realised that if his story w r ere false he would be liable to arrest on perjury and bigamy charges. The case was adjourned until tomorrow.