ROMANCE ON SHIPBOARD

Otago Daily Times, Issue 23055, 4 December 1936, Page 18

ROMANCE ON SHIPBOARD

STEWARD GUILTY OF BIGAMY COMMITTED FOR SENTENCE (Per United Press Association) AUCKLAND, Dec. 3. A shipboard romance that culminated in «a bigamous marriage was described in the Police Court to-day, when Sydney Alfred Gore, aged 40, a farm labourer, formerly a steward on the Rangitane, pleaded guilty to a charge that, having in September, 1920, married Charlotte Mary Goldsmith at London, he went through the form of marriage in March, 1934, with Elizabeth Tait Watson in Auckland.

Formal evidence was given by Mrs Watson.

Detective Hamilton said he interviewed Gore at Patumahoe on November 13, and told him his wife in England had made a statement to the police. The accused said it was correct, and subsequently signed a statement in which he said he had lived happily with his wife until 1934. There were no children, and his wife was 23 years older than he was. The marriage was hardly a success. When he was a steward on the Rangitane in 1933 he met Mrs Watson, a passenger, and became very friendly. She stated that she was a widow, and he told her that he was a widower. Mrs Watson accepted his proposal of marriage, and when he returned next trip they went through the form of marriage at a private house in Remuera. They lived together until January last, when, owing to a difference, he left with her consent, and had not returned since.

"I still love Mrs Watson," said the accused, " and am very sorry for any unhappiness I have caused her. If it was in my power I would willingly recompense her." Mr Wyvern Wilson committed Gore to the Supreme Court for sentence.