COLONEL'S WIFE AND PEER

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLIX, Issue 14931, 2 March 1912, Page 2 (Supplement)

COLONEL'S WIFE AND PEER

AFTER 25 YEARS. <

HON. W. DAWSON'S SUIT. - LohD Hamilton ok Daxzell entered no defence in the action brocght in the Divorce division by Colonel the Hon. William Lawson, of Staveley Lodge, Melton Mowbray. ' ',!■ .--'■- . '"V

Colonel Lawson asked that his marriage might be dissolved, and cited Lord Hamilton of Dalzell. Two of his children are grown up; the marriage took place a quarter of a century ago. Two younger children have been in the petitioner's care, and were given into Ids legal custody when the presidents of the division, after documents had been put in and brief evidence given, granted a decree nisi. ,

':' Colonel Lawson and his wife hunted a good deal in Leicestershire. In 1909 and 1910, said counsel, Colonel • Lawson considered that he had cause to complain of tho intimacy between his wife and Lord Hamilton of Dalzell. In 1911 Mrs. Lawson made a proposal to her husband relating to a house in London. Colonel Lawson came to the conclusion that it was impossible for him to live with his wife under the same roof. Accordingly he made her a substantial allowance, and left her in possession of his flat in Hyde Park-place. Negotiations followed with tho view to a deed of separation being entered into, but they came to nothing.

Mrs. Lawson's solicitors, under date of October 23 last—two days after they had gone to Amienseent letters from Mrs. Lawson and the co-respondent to the husband's solicitors. The following was from wife to husband: —

" You have insisted upon % separation taking place between us because of my friendship of upwards of 12 years with Lord Hamilton, and you have insieted on a separation whether or not I broke off this friendship. You have already taken away the children. I cannot live the life which such a separation must entail, especially as I should be entirely dependent on you for money. It means loneliness and isolation for the Test of my life.

"Lord Hamilton and I have, thereforo, made up our minds to place in your hands evidence which will enable you to procure a divorce, and I ask you to do this iie quickly and quietly as possible."

Lord Hamilton's letter of the same date, from his residence in London, said: —

".I understand that Colonel Lawson insists upon a separation from Mrs. Lawson on my account. Should he decide to seek a divorce he will meet with no opposition from me, and will enable me to offer the only amends which it is possible for me to make to her. I shall be obliged by your sending this letter to Colonel Lawson.

Two days later Colonel Lawson's solid tors replied: ~', . .. '

"... We have placed the letters before Colonel Lawson. We refrain from commenting upon the letter of Mrs. Lawson 'to her husband, or the length of time which Mrs. Lawson states her friendship with Lord Hamilton has existed, as it is not our desire to say anything which may cause her additional pain. It is quite true that matters reached such a •. poinfc that there was no alternative but for Colonel Lawson to insist upon a separation from his wife. In view, nowever, of Mrs. Lawson'e letter to her husband, we are instructed to inform you that he will commence proceedings for a divorce." ,' , f

The deposition of M. Rene Macrow, proprietor of the Grand Hotel de'l'Univers' at Amiens, was read by counsel, 'A telegram from London reserved two bedrooms and a sittingrcom for a Mr. and Mrs. Hamilton. Their rooms', 13, 14, and 15, had communicating doors. ' . ,

Colonel Lawson bore out counsel's statement, and mentioned that his : eldest son and eldest daughter were married.

Mr. Reuben Butler, a private detective, said he kept observation on October 21 last and saw Mrs. Lawson leave 12, Hyde Park place, about 2 p.m. and drive in a taxicab to Charing Cross, where- Lord Hamilton also appeared. The two went to the Continent via Folkestone, arriving at Amiens the same evening. - Next day they left together and returned to London.