UNHAPPY HOMES.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LI, Issue 15767, 16 November 1914, Page 3

UNHAPPY HOMES.

PETITIONS FOR DIVORCE.

ALLEGATIONS OF A WIFE.

GUN AND CARTING KNIFE.

Several undefended divorce actions were heard by His Honor Mr. Justice Cooper at the Supremo Court on Saturday afternoon.

Lilian May Morgan (Mr. J. R. London) )etitiooed for a dissolution of her marriage » William Frederick Morgan.

Mr. Lundon said that the circumstances of this matter were somewhat peculiar. At the last sitting of the Court respondent filed a, petition for divorce against the present petitioner, setting out adultery as the ground for the petition. However, this ground was false, and was simply put forward as an endeavour to make Mrs. Morgan cohabit with Morgan. When the proceedings came before the Court they were withdrawn, with costs against the then petitioner. The respondent in the present case was now in the military camp at Wellington.

Petitioner said they were married at Hobart, and lived there for one year. Shortly afterwards they came to New Zealand. Her husband had been an. habitual drunkard for about 12 years. After coming to New Zealand, respondent obtained employment with his father, but subsequently was dismissed on account of drink. Later he succeeded in getting work in the railway service, but again lost his position because of drunkenness. For one year he had been practically loafing on his father. There were three children of the marriage. The home had been disturbed because of respondent's drunken habits. For some time petitioner had been supported by her own efforts and by a brother. Respondent ill-treated her and used vile language to her, whether he was sober or drunk. Petitioner had obtained a maintenance order against the respondent, and since then his conduct had been worse. Just before he went away to Wellington respondent appeared at the house and threatened petitioner. He had a revolver in one hand and a carving knife in the other. He chased the children out of the house. Petitioner had had to summon police assistance on occasions, even up till as late as one o'clock in the morning. Some time ago respondent begged of petitioner to take him back, and threatened that if she refused he would get three men to swear her life away. Respondent had been prohibited, but it made no difference to him. About three weeks before he went away to Wellington respondent caused a disturbance in petitioner's house at midnight. He entered through a window, and brought a gun with him, and was so drunk that he could not find his way out. The police had to be called in to get him away. He had often threatened to kill petitioner. Petitioner had frequently been violently attacked by respondent. Evidence was given by a brother of petitioner in corroboration of her statements. This witness stated that one Saturday night respondent appeared at petitioner's house wearing a false beard, his intention being to frighten the household.

Wlliam Morgan, father of respondent, gave evidence to the effect that he had urged his son to give up drinking, but his efforts had been unsuccessful. A decree nisi was granted, to be moved absolute in three months.

It may be that the camp experience will cure him," remarked His Honor at the conclusion of the case.