Divorce Day in Court

Manawatu Times, Volume 70, Issue 111, 12 May 1945, Page 6

Divorce Day in Court

The Hon. Mr. Justice Johnston heard a number of petitions in divorce in the Palmerston North Bupreme Court yesterday. Ashley Lucas Jeffries, labourer, of Palmerston North (Mr. G. E. Rowe), sought divorce from Nellie Vera Jeffries on the grounds of adultery. The marriage was on December 3, 1937, and there were three children. When a fourth child was born petitioner declared he was not the father and the wife had admitted misconduct. A decree nisi was granted. Reginald William Andrews, soldier, now overseas (Mr. A. M. Ongley), was granted a decree nisi, his wife Jessie Doris Andrews not having complied with an order for restitution of conjugal rights. Phyllis Edith Dixon, of Palmerston North (Mr. G. C. Petersen), in asking for divorce from Albert Gladstone Dixon, who went to Australia in 1933, pleaded separation since July 5, 1932. ( A decree nisi was granted. Percy John O ’Dea, market gardener, of Palmerston North (Mr. G. E. Rowe), was granted a decree nisi, his wife, Alice May O ’Dea, disobeying an order for restitution of conjugal rights. They were married on July 8, 1931. Edward George Giles Vogt, a member of the Air Force (Mr. F. G. Opie), was also granted a decree nisi, his wife, Nancy May' Vogt, having failed to comply with a restitution order. They were married in Palmerston North on March 30, 1939. Separation for more than three years was pleaded by Alice Mitchell (Mr. F. G. Opie), of Pahiatua, when asking for divorce from Alfred James Mitchell with whom she had lived after their marriage on June 1, 1921, at Carnarvon, Sanscn and Kopane. They separated in October, 1937. A decree nisi was granted. Vera Jean Langston, of Palmerston North (Mr. Rowe) was granted a decree nisi, her husband Charles Reginald Langston, Tiakitahuna, farm hand, having failed to comply with a restitution order. The couple were married on February 23, 1944. Mary Haydon Ileald (Mr. A. M. Ongley), of Palmerston North, sought divorce from Frank Carlton Heald, of Auckland, whom she married on Marcii 24, 1937. They separated in November, 1941. A decree nisi was entered. Gwendoline Irene Phillips, of Palmerston North (Mr. G. C. Petersen), petitioned on the ground of separation for more than three years from William Charles Phillips, an oflicer in the Air Force, whom she married on September 7, 1940. Respondent went overseas in November, 1940, but Mrs. Phillips presented a letter from her husband, dated September 14, 1941, agreeing to a separation. He had since returned to New Zealand but they were still apart. A decree nisi was granted. Charles Herbert Clements, telegraphist,- of Palmerston North (Mr. McGregor), alleged adultery on the part of his wife, Elsie Hilda Clements, whom he married on February 25, 1931. He went overseas in February, 1943, but returned unexpectedly in April to find that Mrs. Clements was living with a male friend at Rangataua. A decree nisi was entered. Joyce May Butcher, of Mangatainoka (Mr. K. Struthcrs), who married Albert Reginald Butcher on February 10, 1935, and was separated from him in February, 1937, was granted a decree nisi with custody of the three children. Keith Percival Burnett (Mr. Ongley), company manager, of Palmerston North, sought an order for restitution of conjugal rights, his wife, _Peggy, having left home on January 15, 1944, “for good,” according to a letter he had subsequently received from her. The order was granted, Mrs. Burnett to return within 21 days. They married on January 29, 1938. Decrees Absolute The following decrees absolute were granted:—Eileen Florence Butler, of Palmerston North (Mr. G. E. Rowe) v. Cyril Butler, jockey, of Linton, with custody of the four children to petitioner. Nellie Eileen Carter, of Shannon (Mr. G. 1. McGregor) v. Leslie William Carter, storeman, of Auckland, with custody of children to petitioner. May Winifred Grace Sale, of Poliangina (Mr. A. M. Ongley) v. Charles Henry Sale, of parts unknown. Emily Alfreda Laurette Neal, of Danncvirke (Mr. P. W. Dorrington) v. Frederick Joseph William Neal, •of Palmerston North, with custody of the two children to petitioner.