CLERGYMAN’S DIVORCE

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LIII, Issue 79, 3 April 1919, Page 2

CLERGYMAN’S DIVORCE

PETITION OF AUCKLANDER,

ADMISSION BY HIS WIFE

LONDON, Feb. 4

A divorce case of interest to Aucklanders was heard this week, when Mr Justice Hill granted a decree nisi on the petition of the Rev. William Henry Edgell, fortnejjjy of Kohukohu, of St. Sepulchre’s, Auckland, and of the Melanesian Mission. Since the end of 1916 Mr Edgell has been serving as a naval chaplain, first with the , cruiser Gibraltar, and later, in the depot ship. Hecla. Ho alleged misconduct of his wife, Dorothy S. J. Edgell, with a man unknown. The suit was not defended.

. Counsel for petitioner said that the marriage took place in New Zealand, in February, 1910. In 1913 the wile admitted that she was in. love with another man, and petitioner accidentally discovered that she J had been, writing to a man who had since been killed at Gallipoli. In 1916, owing to his wife’s conduct, he resigned his Ijenefice, and they came t> England. In October, 1917, he. joined 11.M.5. Hecla, and afterwards his,wife •wrote to him saying that sTie went, to dinner at the •Tvocaderp restaurant with a woman friend and two men. The letter continued:

“For some time previously I had entirely given up having wine to dinner, ■but that night I took some, just an ordinary Moselle or light champagne, about a glass and a-half. . . . 1 remember nothing; from the time we left the.. ‘Troc.’ until 2.30 a.m., when I found myself in. my own flat, very much confused, and this man still with me. It appears that the wine must have got into my head or beep drugged. } It is a thing in London. , I could have kilted him. I made him go, and have never seen him since. His name was amongst the killed in the casualtv li?': last month, v . . 1 beg you not to judge me too ■ harshly. ” Petitioner telegraphed to his Wife: “I understand. God bless you,. Peace and love.’,’ But afterwards he fount! love letters - signed “Ted” and • “Gordon.” He accordingly took divorce proceedings. ■