CHAUFFEUR AS LOVER.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LX, Issue 18577, 8 December 1923, Page 11

CHAUFFEUR AS LOVER.

REMORSE COMES TOO LATE.

NAMED AS CO-RESPONDENT. LONDON, Nov. 23. 'A London alderman, Sir Harold de Ccurcy Moore, is petitioning for divorce or. the ground that his wife has" committed misconduct with William Harvey, his chauffeur. The counsel for' the petitioner explained that when the latter married in 1906, his wife represented her father to be a French gentleman of high* standing, whereas he was actually a blacksmith. The husband had overlooked several flirtations, one during the war. A soldier had been quartered in a field adjoining the house, and Sir Harold surprised him in a punt with his wife. The soldier bolted, explaining that he Hid so because the woman cried out, "Here's father! Run!" Petitioner said that he was bo annoyed at the punt incident thai he pitched the tea things into the river. Harvey had been gaged in 1921. Petitioner .discovered him in his wife's room. He afterwards ascertained that he had bent wearing petitioner's silk pyjamas. Harvey was, dismissed. Later on, Harvey wrote to the respondent: " You have ruined two lives—mine and that of the only girl whom I could ever have made my wife. Why did you lead me off , the straight path when I was doing my best to keep on the right road, so as to tell her everything and ask her forgiveness? • Now it is too late. The, end of my life is not far distant. I cannot live without her. I am sitting at her side so''that she can see this letter. I do not care, two pins for you. Do not try to see me. lam only a boy, .and a chauffeur at thatnot a gentleman. I hate you." * Edith Barnes, formerly housekeeper to Sir Harold, said that her mistress once returned from a Royal garden party wearing a beautiful gown. She sent her to fetch Harvey, saying she wanted him to see it. Later on, witness saw them kissing each other in the music-room. Mr. Justice Horridge remarked that he was not surprised at any conduct of married women nowadays. "It is reputed of a certain class,'® he said, " that, their only amusement in life is to play the fool, even though they may not go so far as to commit misconduct." The case was adjourned.