TRAGIC END TO CASE

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIX, Issue 21333, 7 November 1932, Page 10

TRAGIC END TO CASE

ACTION FOR DIVORCE PETITIONER FOUND DEAD JURYMEN RETURN HOME A dramatic termination to divorce proceedings which commenced in the Supremo Court on Friday camo with tho announcement on Saturday morning that tho petitioner had been found dead. The jurymen had reassembled at tho Court for tho resumption of tho hearing, but (ho Judge was informed of petitioner's death and the Court did not sit. The jurymen wero paid off. Tho petitioner was Frederick Holmes, aged 55, bootmaker, residing at 20 Maidstone Street, Newton (Mr. Singer), lie sought a dissolution of his marriage with Frances May Holmes (Mr. A. Moody), C. William Ilorno (Mr. Meredith) being cited as co-respondent. Petitioner gavo evidonco in Court on Friday afternoon, and as tho hearing was not completed it was adjourned until Saturday morning. Tho discovery of his body unexpectedly ended the proceedings. An inquest was opened before Mr. W. R. McKean, S.M., coroner. It was stated in evidence that deceasod was found dead at 6.50 a.m. on Saturday, at his residence, with his head on a gas ring. Ho had lived at tho house for eight months, and in the past two weeks had been very depressed. He was in steady employment. Tho inquest was adjourned sino die. As divorce proceedings constitute an action of a personal nature they automatically coaso with tho death of petitioner. In such circumstances, thoro being no successful or unsuccessful litigant, tho question of seeking judgment for costs does not arise.