DIVORCE COURT.

Lyttelton Times, Volume LXIII, Issue 7528, 18 April 1885, Page 5

DIVORCE COURT.

[Per Press Association.]

WELLINGTON, April 17,

At the Divorce Court to-day the case Smith v. Smith and Strike was heard. Petitioner was a contractor residing in Wanganui, and was married to the respondent, Alice Smith, in January, 1884, The parties resided in Wanganui for some time, when, in consequence .of something which took place, petitioner and his wife separated, the latter coming to Wellington, where she became acquainted with G. A. Strike, co - respondent, an aerated water manufacturer. Strike took her to his residence, and intimated that he was going to Wanganui to get a divorce for Mrs Smith from her husband. Shortly after Strike left Wellington, and Mrs Smith appeared to have joined him at Masterton, and a day or two afterwards there appeared in a Wellington newspaper an advertisement, inserted by Strike, to the effect that he had married Alice Dixon, that being respondent's maiden name. Evidence was called to show that Mrs Smith resided with Strike for some time in the early partof the year, and upon the adultery being discovered, petitioner took proceedings and sought to recover damages. Strike, it appeared, then got respondent out of the house, and she went to another part of the Colony at his expense. The only question for the jury to decide was really one of damages. The jury awarded petitioner £SO damages against co-respondent. The judge granted a decree nisi. Counsel for co-respondent obtained leave to move to have the verdict reversed, on the ground of insufficient evidence to prove he was aware respondent was a married woman. The case of Waller-v. Waller was also heard. This was a wife’s petition for dissolution of marriage on the ground of the husband’s continued cruelty and adultery. The parties were married in Wanganui in Oct., 1880, and after four months, Waller commenced illusing his wife to- such an extent that she was compelled to leave him. Later on a reconciliation was made, but with no better success, and finally Mrs Waller left him altogether. Adultery, committed in Wellington, was clearly proved, and his Honor granted a decree nisi.

DUNEDIN, April 17.

In the Divorce Court to-day. Judge Williams granted the petition for judicial separation by Catherine Hagan against Robert Hagan, of Waikouaiti, on the ground of cruelty. The alimony allowed to petitioner was 15s per week. The parties had been married in 1869, and the ill-treatment began eight years ago.