A GONGOPISGENT CLERIC

NZ Truth, Issue 97, 27 April 1907, Page 7

A GONGOPISGENT CLERIC

FLEES TO NEW ZEALAND

With a Parishioner's Daughter.

Mr. Alfred Edersheim, who was at one time Rector of Blaisdon, Gloucestershire, took such umbrage when his wife remonstrated . with him as to his. conduct with certain ladies m his parish, that, as a practical protest, he left her and went to New Zealand, -and lived with one of the persons indicated. Mirs Lydia Julia Edersheim, the wife, presented a petition for divorce m consequence, which was granted. In the course o£ her evidence she said she married the respondent at St. Michael's, PiJinHco, on December 21, 1881. At that time her husband was studying for Holy Orders,- which he subsequently succeeded m obtaining. He secured various appointments as curate, his wife accompanying him to the various scenes of his spiritual labors, and ultimately he became rector of Blai9don. In January, 1896, by which time there were three children of the marriage, Mrs Edersheim remonstrated with her hus>hand ,as to his conduct with some of the ladies of the parish, and he left her. He wrote _ a letter to her telling her he was leaving her, as he could not bear it any longer, and giving her directions as to his property. Mrs. Edersheian was at first unable: to find) out where the .reverend gentleman, had gone, to, but she was later on informed by a Mrs. Stubhs that he had gone of! to New. Zealand with the informant's youngest daughter. In 1903, his address having been discovered, his wife's solicitors wrote to Mr Eders-heim, asking him to make some allowance towards the education of his son. But the respondent' applied that hs was unable to tld so. Respondent returned to England m 1906, and m August, of that year he .was seen at the Hotel Victoria, London.

W.. G. JVpatti'iigjley, clerk to the solicitors 1 for 1 the? petitioner, stated that he saw respondent at the hotel, who gave him an address at Brighton. Witness afterwards went to a house at Regency-square. Brighton, and, following respondent's instructions, ask--d for him as "Mr. Gibson." Witness found respondent and Miss Stubbs living there. Further evidence m support of the petition was given by Miss Lizzie Hallja parlormaid at the address given, and his Lordship pronounced a decree nisi. ;