DIVORCE ACTION FAILS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LIX, Issue 18170, 16 August 1922, Page 10

DIVORCE ACTION FAILS.

" BORDERED ON FRIVOLOUS."

NEW ZEALANDER'S EVIDENCE [FROM OUB OWN CORRESPONDENT.] LONDON, July 7.

An ex-Army officer -who alleged that his corporal friend in the same corps had taken advantage of a request to look after his wife, lost his case in a divorce suit this week. The friend complained of was Corporal Spicer, whose evidence was forthcoming on commission from New Zealand. It w*s stated during the case that Mr. Spicer was a brother, of Sir Howard Spicer. Mr. Justice Salter remarked that to bring a charge of misconduct after four years on the evidence bordered on the frivolous. t

Mr. Louis Durden Sewell, a veterinary surgeon," of Westminster, said that when he went to the war in 1917 he asked Ms friend Corporal Spicer to look after his wife. He alleged that the friend took advantage of this invitation to be with Mrs. SewelL The wife strenuously denied misconduct. She was not, she said, in love with Mr. Spicer, nor had they ever kissed. It was stated at a previous hearing that she objected to living on premises where sick dogs were being treated by her husband. She now said that she did not mind for < herself; it was the baby she was thinking of." Counsel asked, whether it was a fact that since she had separated herself from her husband she had made no inquiries about; the* baby. Mrs. Sewell replied that she had asked tho doctor after its welfare. She had not asked \o see the child because, she sa/d, she knew her request would riot be granted. Mr. Spicer's evidence disclosed the fact that he was a married man with three children. He denied misconduct. He did everything he could for Mrs. Sewell, and would have expected his .friend to find fault with him had he not done so. The petition was dismissed with costs.