Auckland Divorce Court.

Otago Witness, Issue 1704, 19 July 1884, Page 15

Auckland Divorce Court.

Auckland, July 14, The divorce case, Marianne Offer v. Offer, came before Judge Gillies on the petition of the wife for dissolution of marriage on the ground of adultery. Mr Hesketh appeared for petitioner. There was no appearance of respondent, who is an ex-city councillor, and is in Sydney. Mr T. Cooper appeared to watch the case on his behalf, but offered no evidence. The evidence of petitioner and some of Offer's employes disclosed a shocking state of things. His Honor said he would take time for consideration, inasmuch as he was not at all satisfied that what had been stated in evidence really amounted to cruelty on the part of respondent towards his wife. The only clear evidence as to adultery was that of one witness. As to the other evidence, about women going to the shop and of ladies being received into respondent's house witjiout giving their names, all that would not warrant the inference of adultery. Any married man might be convicted on such evidence. As to whether re spondent's acts towards his wife amounted to cruelty in the eye of the law he waa in considerable doubt, and would take time to look up authorities. Judge Gillies granted a rule nisi, with costs, for the dissolution of the marriage.