MARCONI'S DIVORCE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIV, Issue 19542, 22 January 1927, Page 9

MARCONI'S DIVORCE.

ROME'S FINAL APPROVAL. DECREE OF ANNULMENT. Australian and N Z. Cable Association. (Rocd. 9.35 p.m.) ROME, Jan. 20. The Sacred Roman Catholic Rota has annulled the marriage of Signor Marconi to the Hon. Beatrice O'Brien, on the ground that the couple agreed before their marriage that they could separate whenever they wished. As marriage is regarded as indissoluble bv the Roman Catholic Church such a condition made this marriage null. It is understood that Signor Marconi is engaged to marry Mary, daughter of Count Francesco Bezziscali, of the Papal Guard. Signor Gtiglielmo .Marconi, the famous wireless genius, interviewed the Pope on November 24 and discussed with him the annulment of his marriage to the Hon. Beatrice O'Brien. A preliminary decree of dissolution was granted by the Curia Romano (Papal Court) of Westminster in 1924 on the ground of the defective legality of the marriage. It was stated that Signor Marconi's former wife made it a condition before their marriage that they could separate whenever they wished. This, Signor Marconi claimed, nullified the marriage according to Roman Catholic canon law. Signor Marconi was married in 1900 to the Hon. Beatrice O'Brien, daughter of Lord Inchiqr.in When their union was dissolved the former Signora Marconi married the Marquis di Montecorona. In April, 1925. the English press published a storv to the effect that, the engagement was expecte J of Signor Marconi and Miss Elizabeth Narcissa Paynter, only daughter of Lieutenant-Colonel Cambourne Haweis Pavnter and Mrs. Paynter, of Boskenna. Cornwall. The storv was subsequently denied. It was announced on December 9 that at the request of the interested parties the Sacred Roman Catholic Rota had decided that all the proceedings in regard to the annulment of Signor Marconi's marriage should be conducted under the seal ot secrecy, if order to avoid the unpleasant discussion which took place after the annulment by the Rota of the Duke of Mariborough " marriage.