HAMILTON DIVORCE CASES.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LV, Issue 16948, 6 September 1918, Page 6

HAMILTON DIVORCE CASES.

UNFAITHFUL MAORI WIFE.

[BV TELEGRAPH.— COREESro.VDEN-T.]

HAMILTON", Thursday. The sittings of the Supremo Court were continued to-day. Rira Whititera (Mr. Urquhart) Bought a divorce from Rarcto Whititera, Rodney Munro being named as co-respondent. Petitioner stated that ho was married to respondent at Ohinemutu in 1905. In 1915 his wife went to Hawke's Bay on a holiday, and stayed away for several months. Petitioner volunteered for active service in that year, and asked his wife to come back before he went into camp, but she refused. He did not see her again until his return from the front after two years' active service. He then went to see his wife, who had returned to Ohinemutu, and she admitted to him that she wan living with the co-respon-dent. His Honor granted a decree nisi, to be made absolute at the expiration of three months.

Mary Ann Hellaby (Mr. Finlay) asked for a divorce from her husband, Joseph William Hellaby. The respondent failed to appear. Petitioner stated that she was married to respondent in England on April 20, 1892. About six years later they came to New Zealasnd, landing at Auckland. They brought with them a nursemaid, who was the cause of the trouble. Later they went to Christcuurch, where her husband established her in a home, saying he was working at the Belfast Freezing; Works, and would only be home once or twice a week. She discovered that he was really working at the Christchurch Gasworks, 'and was living with the woman in the city. Petitioner then went to England, and returned in 12 months. 8h« tried to find her husband, and at last heard that he was at Okahukura, where, under the name of Brown, \ lie was keeping a boardinghouse. A decree nisi, to be made absolute at the expiration of three months, was granted* I