"MUCH MARRIED MAN."

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXI, Issue 18885, 6 December 1924, Page 13

"MUCH MARRIED MAN."

ALLEGATIONS OF POLICE.

FURTHER INFORMATION AWAITED

" This is a much-married man," declared Chief-Detective Kemp in the Magistrate's Court in Wellington, with reference to Joseph James Groonette, alias Wilfred Alfred Hewer, described as a barber, 36 years of age, who appeared before Mr. E. Page, S.M., on a charge of making a false statement under the Marriage Act.

The chief detective explained that accused, who was understood to be a native of Germany, was arrested by Detective Murray on warrant on Tuesday night, there being reason for a belief that he was about to abscond. Accused con-

: tracted a marriage in Johannesburg in I 19.13, and at St. John's Church. England, | .about 10 years later, repeated the per- | formance. He next came to New Zeai land, and on July 25 last at Wellington, - married the third time. The two previj ous wives were still living. The police ! were in touch with the South African I authorities, and when the first marriage 1 certificate arrived a charge of bigamy I would be laid.

On the application of Chief-Detective Kemp, accused was remanded for a week, bail being allowed, self in £200, with one surety of a like amount, or two of £100 each.