ALLEGED BIGAMY.

Hokitika Guardian, 13 April 1923, Page 2

ALLEGED BIGAMY.

A PECULIAR CASE. CHARGE AGAINST A CONDUCTOR. DUNEDIN, April 11. Air J. It. Bartholomew, S.M., sitting at the City Police Court this morning, heard charges against Albeit Edward Blundell, a tram conductor, who was charged with having cm December 25, 102(1, at Dunedin, having been previously married to Louisa Elizabeth Noble, gone through the form of marriage with Grace Agnes Sharp, thereby committing bigamy, lie was aNo charged with having, oil December 21 of the same year at Dunedin made a false declaration for the purpose of procuring a certificate from the Registrar of Marriages.

Mr A. C. Hanlon appeared for the accused, and sub-inspector Eecles prosecuted.

Evidence was given by Emily \ ictorin Barnes, who stated that she had lived at Southward Bridge Road, Loudon, and while there, knew Louisa Elizabeth Noble. Site remembered Miss Noble getting married to John Blundell in ltlll. Shown a wedding group photograph recently, she had recognised the accused and tlie girl she had known. The name of the bride's father was Charles Noble.

Air Hanlon pointed out that the witness had not been present at the wedding. It was necessary that the Crown should prove certain documents, which the Sub-Inspector desired to put in. Finally, the documents were admitted.

Witness, continuing, said that she had not actually been present at the ceremony. She last saw Louisa Blundell in 1017 or 1018, and had received one letter from her since she witness) had been in New Zealand. 1 his letter had been destroyed after being answered. Witness had seen accused and the girl Louisa together about three times after the marriage.

Detective Palmer stated that lie bad interviewed the accused, who said that when lie married Aliss Sharp lie had no reason to believe that his first wife was dead, but he had thought she had divorced him. He admitted that the photos shown him were those of himself and his first wife, and also that tlie contents of the certificate produced were a true statement ot the first marriage. Sergeant Shaiiaglian stated that he had interviewed the accused in September last, and had obtained from him a signed statement to the effect that ho had married Aliss Noble in London in IHI-1. He was in the Navy then. and. shortly afterwards, was posted to H.AI.S. Valiant. There was one child of the union, a hov. Accused was clemobiliseik'in Pill', and. on arrival home, his wife told him she had made a mistake in marrying him, a” could not live with him. He tried to get her to live with him, hut she refused. He then said he would give her grounds for divorce by not living with her, and she replied that she would apply for a divorce. The couple had not lived together or eohahiiated since. He then went to sea on a mail boat, and had seen his wife on three occasions when in port. She always said she would carry on the divoriv proceedings. He came to New Zealand in Bi'-’d and met Miss Sharp and married her in December of that year, lie bones! iy believed le had been divorced by his first wile, though he had j received no papers.

Alexander B. Kennedy, Registrar of Births. Death.-. and .Marriage-. at Dunedin, said that a license had been issued for the marriage of accused and Aliss Sharp. Blundell had described himself as a bachelor. The Rev B. Fnirmaid stated that lie had solemnised a wedding between the parties named, hut was not sure whether the accused was the man. The man married had described himself as a bachelor.

Evidence was also given Boland Jeffrey Hitehon, who had been present at the wedding Ik? tween accused and Aliss Sharp. Accused, who reserved his defence, was committed for trial, hail being allowed. himself in £IOO and two sureties of £'oo each, or one of £IOO on his own recognisance on the other charge.