BIGAMY ALLEGED.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXI, Issue 18889, 11 December 1924, Page 12

BIGAMY ALLEGED.

ARREST OF A BARBER.

CHARGE OF FALSE STATEMENT.

[BV TELEGRAPH. —OWN CORRESPONDENT. ]

WELLLVGTON. V.'.xiue.Bday.

Making a false statement in the ma"rriage notice book constituted a charge against a barber, 36 years of age, named Joseph James Gl'oonette, alias Wilfred Alfred Hewen, who appeared on remand in the Police Court to-dav.

Roy Allan Younger, deputy-registrar of births, deaths and marriages at Wellington, produced the marriage notice book, which showed particulars of a marriage on July 23, at which one of the parties was shown as Wilfred Albert Hewen, and described as a bachelor.

Detective Murray gave evidence as .to interviewing accused, when Groonette admitted his identity with that of Hewen. Accused, he said, also admitted marrying in Johannesburg in 1913, and being married in London, in 1923.

Accused, who was represented by Mr. J. F. B. Stevenson, pleader] not guilty and was committed to the Supreme Court for trial.

Chief-Detective Kemp said when the marriage certificate arrived from South Africa accused would ho charged with bigamy.

Groonette was before the Court last week, when it was stated on behalf of the police that he had been arrested on warrant, a;; there was reason to believe he was about to abscond. It was alleged that he contracted a marriage in Johannesburg ir 1913, and at St. John's Church, England, about 10 years later. repeated the performance. He next came to New Zealand, and on July 23 kst at Wellington marrip.rl the third time. The two previous wues were still living.