“THOUGHT HE WAS DEAD”

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LVI, 18 August 1924, Page 5

“THOUGHT HE WAS DEAD”

EVIDENCE IN DIVORCE CASE

(United Press Association.)

AUCKLAND, August 15. “When I married again I had a full belief that M'Coy was dead and buried, drowned in a whaling boat off Norfolk Island, but afterwards lie came behind me in a street and slapped me on the back,, and I says, ‘Why I thought you were dead and buried/ ” That was a statement sobbed out by a woman in the Supreme Court to-day during the hearing of a petition for divorce. The circumstances were unusual. Petitioner and respondent each admitted adultery. Jacob McCoy, labourer, of Auckland, sought a divorce from Evelyn M'Coy, whom lie married, in 1902. Mr Singer, who represented respondent, stated that the parties separated some time after the marriage, petitioner going to Norfolk Island. In 1905, believing M‘Coy to be dead, respondent went through a form of marriage with another man. She had receivea a cutting from a newspaper, stating that M'Coy had been drowned. Evidently it was another man of the same name, for M'Coy turned up again. Years went by, and petitioner lived in adultery with another woman. Eventually Mrs M'Coy was prosecuted for bigamy. M'Coy liad a;,child by .the woman witli whom he lived. Under the circumstances both parties should bo granted a decree. Petitioner admitted having lived with another woman iu 1914 and 1915.

Respondent, on entering the witness box, burst into tears, and in an incoherent stream of words she told a story of unhappy married life. “He took me to an empty house, not a thing in it. Then he left me. f had to pick up scraps of bread to oat. My father and mother had to keep me.’’ Mr'Justice Herdman granted a decree nisi to each .party. No order was made as'.to costs. V- -