BIGAMY ADMITTED

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIII, Issue 22464, 7 July 1936, Page 12

BIGAMY ADMITTED

UNUSUAL CIRCUMSTANCES COURT GRANTS PROBATION An unusual story was told concerning John Rodger, aged 2S, and Florence May, aged 23. who stood together in the dock in the Supreme Court yesterday for sentence on a charge of bigamy. Rodger was not represented, but May had Mr. S. C. Clarko to speak on her behalf.

Mr. Clarke told His Honor, Mr. Justice Callan, who presided, that May had had a most unfortunate life. The root of the trouble seemed to be that she had had no home life. She had made a hasty and ill-considered marriage with a man called May, who deserted her in 1934. She met the prisoner Rodger, and their association culminated in their going through a form of marriage. Rodger in turn deserted her while these proceedings were pending, and May approached her and asked her to return to him. She decided to go back to him, and did so with the full intention of doing her best, to make the marriage a success, but May showed his true character by again deserting her last week. She bore a good reputation for industry and honesty that would stand her in good stead when she sought employment. Her partner in the dock went through the form of marriage knowing the circumstances fully. His Honor said he was disposed to grant probation because, although bigamy was a grave and cruel crime when it took the form of a married man deceiving an unfortunate woman, neither of these parties deceived tho other. They both knew the truth, and between them they defrauded the State. For some time Rodger drew a married man's pay when in reality he was only a single man. Mr. V. R. Meredith said information had been laid against Rodger for breach of the unemployment fund regulations, and he would be dealt with in another Court.

His Honor: Then I will take no further notice of that. I will admit them both to probation on the usual terms for 12 months, with no special conditions.