AVOIDING PUBLICITY

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXX, Issue 21579, 25 August 1933, Page 13

AVOIDING PUBLICITY

VENUE OF DIVORCE CASES OBJECTION BY HIS HONOR "NOT TO HAPPEN AGAIN" Two divorce petitions brought by husbands were granted by Mr. Justice Herdman in the Supremo Court yesterday. In each caso the petitioner lived in Hamilton or the Hamilton district, and His Honor took exception to the practice of removing such cases to another district in order to avoid publicity.

Basing his petition on a deed of separation entered into in August, 1929, Robert William Bull (Mr. East) sought divorce from Winifred Bernice Bull. Petitioner, who lives in Hamilton, said they were married in 1920, and had three children. His wife and he had lived apart ever since the deed was entered into. His Honor: Whore does he live now? Mr. East: In Hamilton, sir. His Honor: Why were not the proceedings taken in Hamilton? Mr. East said he was instructed in this matter by another counsel. He understood the reason was to avoid publicity in Hamilton.

His Honor: That is not a very proper thing to do. His Honor granted a decree nisi, to be made absolute after three months.

Misconduct was the ground of the petition of Hugh Mclntyre (Mr. East) against Jane Elizabeth Mclntyre. John Mc Williams was named as co-re-spondent.

Mr. East said lie was relying on the evidence of the petitioner alone, supported by a written admission from the respondent. The facts were very clear and there could be no question as to the genuineness of the confession. The petitioner was married in 1903 and was a butcher living at To Akau. His Honor: Again why is this brought here? Mr. East: For the same reason as before, sir.

His Honor: If that happens again I will adjourn the case. I won't in this instance. You can tell counsel-who instructed you that that sort of thing is not going to happen again. Petitioner said the co-respondent had been a boarder in his house for about 12 months prior to February, 1931, when witness found proof of misconduct. His wife subsequently went away with the co-respondent and they had been living together in Palmerston North for the past 2} years. He was informed that she had taken the corespondent's name.

Mr. East put in a written admission by the respondent, and submitted that the evidence was sufficient. Two of the three children were now of age. His Honor granted a decree nisi, to be made absolute after three months, and ordered the co-respondent to pay costs.