BOLTED WITH A BAKER.

NZ Truth, Issue 352, 23 March 1912, Page 7

BOLTED WITH A BAKER.

Webb's Wail from Wellington. Wandered Off with Another's Wife. (From " Truth's " London Rep.) Those who know Panama-street, m windy Wellington, would scarcely j suspect it of being the scene of a love romance. It was to Panamas'treet that Arthur Webb bolted with his fair Maria— Mrs Maria Fagg— to give THE FAIR, FRAIL, LADY her full name — some years ago, and it • was from Panama-street that Arthur wrote to the lady's lawful husj band m England, to urge him to i get a divorce so that he might make .Maria Mrs Webb. So Panama-street, Wellington, must have unsuspected germs of romance m it somewhere. . The case came on here this week, and Fagg got his .^ divorce, so Webb will now be able to carry out his laudable intention of wedding Maria — Mrs" Maria Fagg. Fagg is . a middle-aged ' British publican, who, Some years ago, went iuto partner-' ship with Webb, a baker. Fagg. didn't understand that the partnership was to include Maria — then JVirs jfagg— or he probably wouldn't have been, so keen on the business, but when, he did dissolve partnership after a,)' few years, Mrs Fagg turned herself into one of the assets ..that went to Webb. As a matter of fact, she wpnt to New Zealand with him, and the pair set up housekeeping as "Mr and . Mrs Webb" m the classic precincts of ,-. Panama-street. Then co-respondent - _„ - ' .WROTE TO FAQG. ,_ v —from Panama-street — and begged .him to get a divbrce. A little while after -he fired- the following rather patronising appeal into the injured Bung— or Fagg, to give ''■ him his name :— "Dear Fagg, — Once again we appeal to you "to make it possible for us to-be tmite.d. We both, Maria- and, myself, are anxious- to- be made, one, so we hope you will; do so as- soon as possible. I really think it will be better for all concerned, and, it would make our minds more easy to free us. I sincerely hope you .wilJ. give it- your earliest .attention.. - THERE'S A GOOD FELLOW. I hope this will appeal to you,, and prove •;,. successful to enable, us to carry out our united wish. . . . 1 hope and trust ybu v will" let us know as scjon.as possible, there's a y good chap. Best wishes foi* a Yuletide and Npw Yea.r.— f-I remain, yours .sincerely, Arthur-Webb-" ' '' '' "[ Petitioner did not reply. . Subsequently respondent wrote to her husband from the same address as follows.':^- ' . "It has now turned four years since I left you. and old England be-, hind, and I have great pleasure m. telling ypu that I have been far' hap 1 pier since than. l have ever been m my life before. You know who I left home 'with, and I have been living with the same good man ever since.We care for; one another very much, and he is very anxious to MAKE ME HIS LEGAL. WIFE. He is also just as anxious to get settled here as I am. I have writ-ten.-to you tb ask if ypu would get a divorce from me as soon as possible. .... It would be a much better thing; as; under the eifcumstances, I could not live with you again. Awaiting your answer m anticipation, MT Fagg." A Upon v receipt of that letter, inquiries were made m New Zealand, anfl' the couple were found living together—in Panama-street. When inquiries were, made, Maria-— Mrs Fagg, j that is— -got .very excited, 'cos the I pious people of Panama-street had always considered her "a respectable married woman." Maria's attitude iii. this regard is characteristic of the ! unphilosophica! attitude of ' .'".'' ! 'MOST OF THE SEX j towards life - they want to eat their cake and have it too. I Petitioner), -worthy Bimg Fagg, : m giving his evidence, informed the court that when he arid" co-respon-dent weht into partnership witness f blind the capital and Webb "found the experience." 'He didni't mention that h"e' ( also found W'ebtj' a wife.