THE DIVORCE COURT

New Zealand Times, Volume XLVIII, Issue 11007, 16 September 1921, Page 5

THE DIVORCE COURT

UNDEFENDED PETITIONS DETAILS OF CASES HEARD YESTERDAY. SEVERAL MARRIAGES DISSOLVED Undefended petitions for divorce were heard before His Honour Mr Justice Sim, Acting-Chief Justice, in the Divorce Court, yesterday. MOORE) v. MOORE. George Moore, sheepfarmer, sought a dissolution of , his marriage with Margaret Jane Moore, on tho ground of failure to comply with an order for the restitution of conjugal rights. Mr A. Gray, K.C., and Mr P. H. Putnam appeared for petitioner. His Honour made an order for a decree nisi, returnable within three months. HUSBANDS CRUELTY. Eleanor Bertha Titler applied for a dissolution of her marriage with James Titler, on the ground of cruelty. Mr H. F. O’Leary appeared for petitioner, who gave evidence that there was one child of the marriage. She and her husband lived at Wanganui. He was a great gambler, and came home about two or three o’clock in the morning. He knocked her about on several occasions, and, finally, gave hjer enough money to go to her parents’ home ap Napier. When she was at home a week, she returned to Wanganui to her husband, at his request. On the first night he - knocked her about again. She left him. He had not asked her to return or contributed to her support. She earned her living as a waitress at a hotel in Wellington . Rose Callaghan, sister of petitioner, said she resided with her for nine months, after the birth of petitioner’s child. Respondent' used to thrash his wife, and on. one occasion he out her face. Another witness was called for the petitioner, but His Honour remarked that her evidence was not necessary. A decree nisi was granted, returnable in three months. Petitioner was granted custody of the child. HUSBAND OF ENEMY ORIGIN. On the ground tljat her husband was of enemy origin, Cleopatra DietrichBeoh, a New Zealander, applied, at the Divorce Court yesterday, before His Honour Mr Justice Sim, AotingChief Justice, for a dissolution of her marriage with Richard' 1 Paul Dietrich. Petitioner, for whom Mr P. B. Cooke appeared,, gave evidence that tile marriage took place in May, 1915. She was aware that respondent was born in Germany. They lived together till December, 1916. Respondent was interned as an enemy civilian. Petitioner went to live with her parents. There were no children of the marriage. Her father was a Greek. Respondent had since been repatriated to Germany. After evidence in regard to deportation, His Honour granted a decree nisi, returnable within three months. MENTAL CASES. Decrees nisi were awarded in two petitions by husbands, on the grounds of lunacy. LOVE v. LOVE. James Love, _ painter, 'Wellington, applied for a. divorce from his wife, Doris Love, on the ground of alleged adultery with Denis Breen, who was joined, to the issue as co-respondent. Petitioner, for whom Mr Sievwright appeared, gave evidence that they were married at a registry office in 1914, and there was one child. They agreed to separate, and his wife went to reside at Miramar with her parents. Last year, in consequence of'what he heard, he went to the Registrar of Births, and secured a certificate of the birth of a female ohild to his wife. The certificate produced was in his wife’s writing; it was an admission that she was living in adultery with co-respondent for the last year. His Honour' granted a decree nisi, returnable within three months; petitioner to retain the custody of the child. The co-respondent was dismissed from the suit. HORSE-TRAINER DIVORCED. Elsie Louisa Barnett applied for dissolution of her marriage with Herbert Owen Barnett, horse-trainer, on the grounds of alleged cruelty, drunkenness, and adultery. Petitioner, for whom Mr J. J. McGrath appeared, said the marriage took place in 1904, and there was one child. They kept a hotel at Martinborough. They agreed to separate, and she obtained an order for maintenance. There was a waiyant for his arrest for disobeying the order, i

Francis Henry Paul, barman, gave evidence that respondent and he occupied toe same room at a Wellington hotel Tn April last. Witness saw respondent commit misconduct with a wopian in the room. His Honour granted a decree nisi, returnable in three months. Respondent was ordered to pay costs on the lowest scale.