WESTON'S WOES.

NZ Truth, Issue 217, 21 August 1909, Page 10

WESTON'S WOES.

Why was He Not Prosecuted for Bigamy ? James Western, aged 39, an ex-Victor-ian, is at present suffering from an overindulgence m matrimony. It was lucky for him that he was not charged with bigamy m Christchurch recently, tire obstacle m the way of such charge being the difficulty of gathering evidence m other parts. He, however, pleaded guilty to making a false declaration before the Registrar when he married a young lady, to the eflect that he was a bachelor, and was committed to the Supreme Court for sentence. On Monday Barrister Rowe acknowledged to Mr Justice Denniston that the case was not one for probation, but the accused had hitherto borne a spotless character. His Honor interposed that all they knew of Weston was that he had come to the colony from elsewhere and thai; nothing was known against him. Mr Rowe mentioned that Weston had. been married m Victoria three or four years ago, but lived most unhappily with his wife', from whom he separated! Wes- \ ton believed from the act of separation that he had practically done with the j first marriage, and made the false de- I claration that he was a single man. His Honor remarked that counsel didn't know what was m Wes ton's mind. Had accused • not come across to New Zealand with another woman ? he asked. Mr Rowe replied m the negative ; he had met No. 2 spouse m New Zealand m the early part of last year. Westcn had reached these hospitable shores threo years previously. His Honor said that accused had obtained possession of the woman by false pretences. Why, he asked, WAS WESTON NOT CHARGED WITH BIGAMY. , The" Crown Prosecutor said there' was the difficulty of proof. He didn't know if his learned friend was aware of it, but m addition to leaving a wife m Victoria, Weston had also deserted three children, and a warrant was out m Victoria for his arrest on a charge of failing to support the youngsters. His Honor said that he couidn't punish the man for bigamy, as he was charged merely with making «i false declaration. Was there any chance of proceeding against 'him for bigamy?" The Crown Prosecutor again pointed out the- difficulty of obtaining proof of foreign marriages. Of course, by pleading guiity, Weston had made an admission of bigamy, and he might be proceeded against upon tint. His Honor said the Crown might consider i fc. The Crown Prosecutor said that it was an ofience under the Marriage Act, and: also under the Crimes Act. Section 53 of the Marriage- Act placed the maximum penalties at a fine of £50 or two years' imprisonment. | His Honor repeated that he couldn't punish Weston for bigamy, but lie would treat the present charee as a very sub-stantial-offence. Twelve months with hard labor.