RAPER DIVORCE CASE

New Zealand Times, Volume LII, Issue 12200, 27 July 1925, Page 7

RAPER DIVORCE CASE

"TOO FAST A LIFE” SENSATIONAL ALLEGATIONS CONTINUANCE OF EVIDENCE By Telovraph.—Press Assn.—Copyright. Australian and N.Z Cable Association. (Reoeived July 26, 6.6 p.m.) LONDON, July 24. When the hearing of the Raper divorce case resumed Hr Marshall-Hall said he was anxious to have' the exact date of the death of the politician whose name was given the previous day by the respondent, who to-day supplied the information in writing. Sir Arbuthnot Lane gave evidence that he examined the Respondent in' September, 1624. She was highly strung, nervous, and suffering from overstrain. She was a type of modern woman who was looking for pleasure and excitement. He saw no traces of alcoholism on respondent, who didn't suggest a type of secret drinker. She seemed either perfectly truthful or an extraordinarily clever liar, but she left the impression of telling the truth. Dr Sidney Belfrage deposed that the respondent had .no traces of alcoholism in 1918, 1921, and 1922. Later, he thought her husband was asking her to lead a life With which she could not cope. When examined in 1923 she was crying and looking ill. She admitted taking more alcohol than was,good for her. Witness thought that when she took, a small quantity, of alcohol she was not _ responsible for what she was doing, Since then Witness had seen nothing: to suggest she had not taken his advice' to give up drink, or that she was taking drugs, or her mind was unsteady.

NOT RIGHT TYPE OF MAN . ' Arising from war in. exchangee wherein Mr Marsh all-Hall suggested that; Dr Belfrage ranged himself on the aide of the respondent, and which Dr Belfrage denied,, the latter, added that he never expected the Bapers to be happily married. He was of opinion that Raper was not a type of man she ■ was wise in selecting as a husband. Air Marshall-Hall intimated that the politician. Whose name cropped up, jlfttcr than tho <i&te of AApcrs petition for a 3 udicial separation. The petitioners recalled,: said that at one time he had’three detectives watching his wife, ana he had .never threatened to expose the names of; the men mentioned on his wife’s confession yesterday. He, thought she confessed when he asked her to marry him. Mr Hume Wiljiama. in his address on behalf of the respondent, alluded to the conditions of 'modern society. Mr Justice Hit! interposed: U I seldo™ spend an. hour in London unless obliged to, and have no experience of how decent .people behave. It is cult to judge popplq nowadays by standards which have muchly, altered. I must put myself, in imagination, into a society which likes this sort of life.

■ At this stage the hearing was, adjourned till Tuesday. *7