MUCH-MARRIED MAN

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 8648, 5 February 1914, Page 5

MUCH-MARRIED MAN

iWOMANI SUES TO RECOVER PRO ! PERTY.

Press Association. NEW PLYMOUTH, February 4. A strange story of matrimonial entanglements was unfolded in the Supremo Court to-day, when Clara Berridgo, of New Plymouth, widow, proceeded against the Public Trustee in the estate of Benjamin Enroth for an order to set aside a transfer of her property to him, made at a time when she believed herself his wife. Enroth, a man nearly seventy years of age, lived five years in New Plymouth with Mrs Berridge, whom ho .married in 1906, stating he was a widower. Enroth posed as a pious man and taught in Sunday school. He died in 1911, and subsequently it was discovered his name was Ebenezor Thorne, with a wife living at Brisbane. In the proceedings to-day evidence was given that Enroth married Kate Hoopwell in England, and went to Sydney. His wife died there, and he married Sarah E. Lane. Ho left her, wont to England, and married a widow named Earle. She died and ho obtained her estate. Ho came to New Plymouth married the plaintiff in the action in 1906, and induced her in 1907 to transfer land to him, making a will in her favour. He obtained £IOO from her built houses on some property, mortgaged it for £745, and made another will leaving her 30s a week, with a reversion to the woman Earle and a daughter by his first wife. _ In 1911, when ho was dying, Lnroth had a will made in Mrs Bcrridgo’s favour, but was too ill to sign it and died, leaving her prigtically stated that Enroth* or Thorno, sold her property took the proceeds. He sale! he had property worth £II,OOO. Ho took her to Auckland in 1908 to meet his daughter, who in the course of a quarrel, said, “You are not father’s wife. He has a wife in Brisbane.” Enroth gave a plausible explanation, and she believed him. Facts came to light after his death. The case is proceediong.