AN "INFANTS" DIVORCE CASE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXIII, Issue 7650, 29 May 1886, Page 2 (Supplement)

AN "INFANTS" DIVORCE CASE.

BUTLER, V. BUTLER AND SHERGOLD. Tins was the petition of Mr. James Hamilton Butler, a clerk in the Ordnauce Survey office, who sought a divorce by reason of hie wife's adultery with the co-respondent, Win, Shergold. Both Mr. and Mrs. Butler being under ago, they appeared by their parents as guardians. Answers were filed denying tho charge, and the respondent alleged connivance, cruelty, and desertion on the part of her husband. All witnesses were ordered out.—Mr. Middleton, who appeared for the petitioner, said that both the husband and tho wife were very young indeed at the time of the marrriage, he being 18, and the wife

wii3 almost a child, 15 years of age. Mr. Butler, who was only earning IS3 a week, lived with his father, an engraver, in the Ordnance- Survey office, at Southampton. In ISS3 ho made the acquaintance of Mre. May and her daughter (the respondent). In August of that year Mrs. May went to the petitioner's father and told him that her daughter was encknte owing to the conduct of his son, and begged that a marriage might be brought about. Ultimately the petitioner and respondent were married on September 3, ISS3, Mrs. May agreed that the husband should live at her house, and that he should put by a3 much money as possible for furniture. That arrangement waa broken from the very first, he being called upon to pay 15s out of bis ISa a week for his board and lodging. A child was born on the 7th March, ISS4. Remonstrances were undo on the part of tho petitioner as to the money he waa to pay Mia. May, who told him that unless he found the 15a a week he would have to leave the house. Subsequently he left Mrs. May's and allowed his wife S3 6d a week. In tho courae of last year Mr. Butler's father had his auspicious aroused by seeing his daughter-in-law walking about High-street, Southampton, with bad companions. Consequently he had her watched, and these proceedings were instituted,— Evidence was then given that the respondent had behaved improperly with a youth of 16, named Shcrgold.—For the defence, Annie Amelia Butler, tho respondent, deposed that she was now living with her mother at (iii, Duuford Terrace, Southampton. Her husband treated her uukindly. lie struck her on the back with his list a month before she was contined, and on one occasion he kicked her in the back because her cold feet touched him (laughter). Ho neglected her, and need to drink. It was not true that she ever misconducted herself with Shergold. Her husband left about a mouth after the child was born, and afterwards went to his ollicj, but bo declined to live with her again. She married him on the advice of her friends to save tho disgrace—-Mr. Justice Butt granted a, decree iiiii.