DOUBLE BIGAMY

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIX, Issue 21325, 28 October 1932, Page 15

DOUBLE BIGAMY

EX-NAVAL MAN CHARGED admission of offence WIFE ALSO REMARRIED A case in which both husband and wife had committed bigamy was revealed in the Police Court yesterday. Henry Oliver Wilson' (Mr. Aekins) admitted having been married at Plymouth, England, on April 25, 1917. and, while so married, going through a form of marriage with Royal Margaret McC'allum at Auckland on September 5, 1925. Evidence regarding both marriage ceremonies was given by Frank Evans, iegistrfr of marriages, at Auckland, and Robert McVeagh, barrister. Royal Margaret McCallum said accused had described himself as a bachelor in filling the forms at the registrar's office. However, he had told her that he had been married previously in England, but that he had received a letter from his mothe£ telling him that he was free. As soon as accused could obtain a divorce, she intended to remarry him. They had been happy together and accused was a steady, hard-working man, who was fond of their child. Detective-Sergeant J. Martin said accused had made a statement admitting the facts. He said he had deserted from the Navy in 1924, having been a leading stoker on H.M.S. Laburnum, and that before , the marriage service in Auckland he had received a letter from his mother telling him that he was a free man. In a statement to the polico in- England, accused's lawful wife had said she had married again in 1929 and did not want to see accused. Accused, in evidence, admitted the charge, although he said he had heard from his mother before the second marriage and at the time honestly believed he' was free. He denied of bad treatment made against, him by his first Wife and said that while he was in the Navy she had received £2 a week from him, practically his entire pay. There were no children of the lawful marriage and he intended to obtain a divorce and legalise his second mai i iage. Accused was committed to the Supreme Court for sentence. He was allowed his liberty on condition that he reported daily to th 6 polico.