UNDEFENDED DIVORCES.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIV, Issue 19718, 18 August 1927, Page 12

UNDEFENDED DIVORCES.

FOUR PETITIONS HEARD. ECHO OF WAR-TIME MARRIAGE. Four undefended actions for divorce were heard in the Supreme Court yesterday, before Mr. Justice Stringer. Mutual separation over a long period was the ground of the petition by Hugh Fitzsimmons against Vida May Fitzsim* mons. It was stated the marriage took place in May, 1915, just before petitioner went to the war. He returned in 1.919, having lost an arm. His wife did not want to return to him and if 1 , was understood they were both to live apart. They had done so. A decree nisi to be be made absolute in three months was granted, subject to the production of &' necessarv document.

Olive Lily Andersen, who said her married life had been exceedingly unhappy, sought divorce from , Arthur Valentine Andersen on the ground of misconduct. The parties were married in November, 1918, and there were two children. The husband was constantly away from home at nights A private inquiry agent supported petitioner's evidence, and produced admissions signed by respondent. His Honor granted a decree nisi to be moved absolute after three months, and gave the custody of the two children to petitioner. In the case of Blanche Alma Hay against Harold James Hay, evidence was given that the parties were married ia 1911, and lived in various parts of New Zealand. They came to Auckland in 1917, and about the end of 1923 it became impossible for petitioner to share tlie same home with respondent any longer He left her at that time, and had not returned. He agreed to pay her £4 a week, and continued to do so until last December. She had since obtained an order for maintenance but he had not been completely obeying it. There were two children. A decree nisi subject to the production of a necessary document was granted, and petitioner was given interim custody of the children.

Arthur Bell petitioned against Louisa Maud Bell on the ground of failure to comply with an order for restitution of conjugal rights. Petitioner said the marriage took place in 1919. An order made last Pecember for restitution of conjugal rights had not been complied with by his wife. He had given her every opportunity to return but she refused. After corroborative evidence had been heard a decree nisi was issued, to be made absolute after three months. Mr. Singer appeared for the petitioner in each case.