DIVORCE AND MATRIMONIAL.

Otago Witness, Issue 2727, 20 June 1906, Page 81

DIVORCE AND MATRIMONIAL.

Thursday. June 14. (Before hi 3 Honor Mr Justice Cooper.) GREEN V. GREEK.

A. wife's petition for di&so.'ution of marriage on the grounds of (1) desertion for fiv» years and upwards, and (2) habitual drunkenness for four year 3 and failure to maintain — Mr Hanlon for petitioner; no appearance for respondent.

Mr Hanlon said that the parties were married at the Maori Kaik in 1874, and resided in various parts of Otago till 1886 In that year they went tc Port Chalmers, and •there resided together till 1834. At Port Chalmers respondent became an habitual drunkard, ai:d treated petitioner with such violence and cruelty that she was compelled to leave him and earn a livelihood for herself and her children. Since the seperation respondent had gone from bad to worse, and was now a worthless loafer.

Evidence was given by the petitioner, her daughter. Mrs Willis, and ilrs Rennie.

His Honor said: You are entitled to a decree on all the grounds set forth in the petition. It is clear that the respondent has been an habitual drunkard for more than four years, and that fie has not maintained his wife and children ; and that, by treating his wife with cruelty, so that she had to leave him, he has constructively deserted her. It is one of those ca=es in which the wife is entitled to be relieved.

Decree nisi granted, to become absolute after three months Petitioner to have custody of childien under age. Costs against respondent on the lowest scale.