UNUSUAL CASE

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXVIII, Issue 23995, 19 June 1941, Page 12

UNUSUAL CASE

A SECOND MARRIAGE

FIRST PARTNERS MISSING

DISCLOSURE IN COURT ACTION

The unusual circumstances of a marriaeo were disclosed during the hearing of a compensation claim brought before Mr. Justice o'Regan in tho Compensation Court yesterday. r ihe plaintiff was Gwendoline Maud Groom (Mr. Sullivan), whose husband, 1' rank Robert Groom, was killed in an accident on Kinu's Wharf on November 26 last. She brought action under the Workers Compensation Act against Richardson and Company, Limited, shipowners (Mr. J. B. Flliot), by whom her husband was employed, claiming a lump sum in compensation, funeral expenses of £25 and costs.

Tho plaintiff gave evidence that when she married Groom in Auckland in April, in.'iU, she had not seen or heard of her first husband for 21 years, and Groom had not seen or heard of his first wife for I!) years. She had been totally dependent on Groom. She had married her first, husband in London in J9J;}, and since he ordered her to leave in BUR she had made many inquiries, but. had been unable to hear anything of him. She understood there were two sons of Groom's first marriage, aged 30 and 2H. Mr. Klliot saiil it was not intended to defend the action, but owing to the curious circumstances of the marriage it was thought desirable that formal evidence should he given. His Honor said the production of the marriage certificate was enough for him. Mr. Klliot said it was a marriage capable of being invalidated by either the plaintiff's husband or the deceased's wife reappearing. He asked that judgment be recorded as on behalf of all defendants. Mr. Sullivan contended it would be un.just> to make any such addition to the order. His Honor said the liability was admitted to be £IOOO, but he would give a considered judgment on points raised.