DIVIDED DIVORCE ISSUES.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LVI, Issue 17328, 27 November 1919, Page 8

DIVIDED DIVORCE ISSUES.

♦ _ DEFENCE BY CO-RESPONDENT. ADVERSE VERDICT FOUND. The hearing of the divorce case of Gor don Hodder, petitioner (Mr. Singer), against Florence Evelyn Hodder, respond I dent (Mr. A. Moody), and Karl Ifwersen, co-respondent (Mr. Paterson), was continued before Mr. Justice Cooper and ! a jury of twelve at the Supreme Court 1 yesterday. The procedure in the case was unusual, an order having been made by the Court, on the co-respondent's application, severing the issues as against the respondent and the co-respondent re- ! j spectively. The defence by the co-respon- | dent was commenced on Tuesday. The judge, in summing up, said the ; case seemed an extraordinary one and it was for the jury to determine on'their ' consciences whether the petitioner had 1 ' proved that the respondent and co-respon- ' dent committed misconduct. He directed the jury that there was no evidence to support misconduct in New South Wales. The issue put to the jury was : " Has the co-respondent, Karl Ifwersen. com- , mitted misconduct with the respondent Florence Evelyn Hodder?" "i After a retirement lasting four hours the jury returned a unanimous verdict in the affirmative. The hearing of the petitioner against ! the respondent will be taken this morning, I