SEEKING A DIVORCE

Otago Daily Times, Issue 22911, 19 June 1936, Page 18

SEEKING A DIVORCE

BIGAMOUS MARRIAGE CONTRACTED EFFORT TO SAVE MONEY (Pier. United Press Association! AUCKLAND, June 18. An mi usual story was unfolded in the Police Court to-day when a single man and a married woman admitted having gone through the form of marriage in order to save enough money for the latter to secure a divorce from her husband. Tho accused were Mrs Florence May, aged 23, and John Dodger, aged 28. John William May, on sustenance, said lie had returned to live with his wife during the past week. They were married in September, 1931. In February, 1935, his wife obtained a separation order at Thames, and he had since paid her £1 a week as maintenance. Last year ho visited his wife in a flat in Auckland, having ascertained that she was living there under the name of “ Mrs Rodger.” Rodger arrived, and the three had tea together. Witness added that he intended to stand by bis wife irrespective of the outcome of these proceedings.

A detective gave evidence that both the accused hail been very frank. Roth pleaded guilty, and were committed to the Supreme Court for sentence.

Rodger pleaded guilty to a further charge of making a false statement to tlie Unemployment Board declaring that lie was a married man. The detective said that as the result of being paijd ns a married man Rodger obtained sums totalling £2O 10s in excess of what he was entitled to.

Rodger was remanded for sentence on this charge until after he lias been dealt with in the Supreme Court on the other charge.