SURPEME COURT.

Marlborough Express, Volume XLIII, Issue 141, 12 June 1909, Page 5

SURPEME COURT.

(Before his Honour Mr Justice Cooper.) A BANKRUPTCY CASE.' When the Court opened this morning Mr Churchward moved for the discharge of William James Binley, bankrupt, from the Bankruptcy Court. The bankrupt was examined, and gave evidence as to the cause of his failure, which has already been published in The Expbess. His Honour said he could not grant an immediate discharge, and advised Mr Churchward that he could apply at a later sitting. A DIVORCE SUIT. . Isabella Warry Gregg, who was represented by counsel, petitioned for divorce against her husband, William Gregg, on the grounds of cruelty, and also that he was an habitual drunkard. Respondent did not appear. Isabella Warry Gregg deposed that she was married in 1881 to the respondent William Storey Gregg. The certificate produced was a true copy of her original marriage certificate. There had been three children, two of whom died in infancy, and the other, a -daughter, survived. Slid had not received any assistance from her husband, who was an habitual drunkard. When she commenced the present proceedings he left the house in which they had lived, and went to Wellington. He had been prohibited, but the orders were useless. Sometimes he was very violent, and she had to lock her door because he went mad with drink. Respondent also had a fad for endeavouring^ to mesmerise her, and used to follow her all over the house waving his hands in front of her, and on one occasion she had locked herself in her room and he got iil through the window, and continued his mesmerising displays. Respondent had been asked to assist to keep the home going, but he had done nothing. Corroborative evidence was given by William Coleman, Geo. Stratford, John Moynahan and Alfred Anderson as to the conduct of respondent. His Honour said there was ample evidence to show that during the past two years respondent's conduct had been such as to warrant the petition. He would grant a decree nisi, to be made absolute in three montli3, the mother to have the custody of the daughter. Costs were granted on the lowest scale.