Man Living Outside New Zealand Probably Not Free

Manawatu Times, Volume 64, Issue 109, 11 May 1939, Page 6

Man Living Outside New Zealand Probably Not Free

NOT A DIVORCE Per Press Association. AUCKLAND, May 10. Granting a decree nisi in an undefended petition brought ny a wife for divorce in the Supreme Court to-day Mr Justice Callan requested that publicity be given to the fact that the divorce which petitioner was in process of obtaining would probably be nc good outside New Zealand, and any assumption by the husband, believed tc be living outside New Zealand, thal he was divorced would be wrong. Petitioner, Edith Ida Haw, applied for a divorce from John Thomas Haw on the ground of desertion. They were married in York, England, in 1918, while the husband was training for s commission in the army. They hac known each other since childhood After his discharge from the army they lived with her mother at York. They had disputes and separated, but were reconciled. Later the husband insisted on going atone for a holiday to Scarborough On his return he made admissions about a woman which she condoned They agreed to go to New Zealand al an invitation from her brother. She went first and he was to follow, but or arrival at her destination she received a letter stating that he was not coming She had not since seen him or beer, able to communicate with him. In granting a decree to be made absolute in three months, his Honoui nade the remarks already quoted, and ;aid that should the husband hear ol these proceedings and assume that he was divorced he would probably be wrong and consequently w r ould be committing bigamy if he married again A husband who deserted his wife did not deserve much consideration Iron: the court, but his Honour felt thai oublicity should be given this aspect.