A PECULIAR DIVORCE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLIX, Issue 14924, 23 February 1912, Page 5

A PECULIAR DIVORCE.

[FROM OUII OWN COIIEESPONDENT. ]

Sydney, February 17. j Some peculiar evidence was given in a i divorce caso in Melbourno the other day, j and incidentally some interesting points I in the divorce law were brought, out. | Thomas William Burnett, a gardener, I 52 years of age, sought for dissolution of ! bis marriage with Elizabeth Burnett, aged I 50 years, on the ground that she had. deserted him. The evidence given by j both the petitioner and the respondent I showed that there was an incompatibility ' of temper which, taken in conjunction I with other things, made it impossible for I them to dwell together in unity. Mr. I Justice Hood, in delivering judgment, said that it was pitiable that two evidently honest, respectable, hard-working people should end their married life in the Divorce Court. They had reared a family in a way that made the children ornaments to themselves and a credit to their parents, but their relations with each other had made it impossible that they ; could live together. It was the law that it was desertion by a husband if his conI duct rendered it impossible for his wife to live in the house with him, and caused her to leave him. That was sauce- for the goose. In a similar way, if a wife by her conduct compelled her husband to leave her, that was desertion by the wife. That was sauce for the gander. In this case, tho respondent practically admitted desertion of this kind, and a, decree nisi for dissolution of the marriaee was granted. The petitioner was ordered to pay £20 towards his wife's costs, in instalments of 10s per week.