SUPREME COURT

Otago Witness, Issue 3274, 13 December 1916, Page 7

SUPREME COURT

IN DIVORCE. Friday, December 8. (Before his Honor Mr Justice Slim.) COOKE V. COOKE. Wife's petition for dissolution of marriage on the ground of desertion. Mr Hanlon appeared for the petitioner, Ann Winn Cooke. There was no appearance of the respondent, Arthur George Boynokls Cooke, residence unknown, labourer. The petitioner said she was married to the respondent at Duncdin in July, 1909. lie was a labourer, and was unable to provide her with a home. There were no children. Witness lived with her people at Waitati, her husband visiting her at week-ends. Her parents afterwards shifted to Inchclutha. The respondent never visited her there, but they corresponded. He never sent her money. In December, 1909, ho stopped writing, and a warrant was issued for his arrest for desertion. The polico could not find him, and witness did not hear of him again till December, 1912, wdion her brother heard ho was in Duncdin and had him arrested. Witness 'withdrew' the case. She had not seen him since. His Honor granted a decree nisi, to be made absolute after three months. KENNEDY V. KENNEDY AND BETHUNE. Husband's petition for dissolution of marriage on the ground of misconduct. Mr Hanlon appeared for the petitioner, John Boyd Kennedy, of Duncdin, gardener. There was no appearance of the respondent, Daisy Christina Kennedy, or of the, co-re-spondent, Kenneth Bethune. The petitioner, a labourer at Port Chalmers, said he was married to the respondent in September, 1910. There were two children. They lived happily together until a short time before she left him. Bethune was a friend, and frequently visited witness's place at Woodhaugh. His wife left him in March last, but returned later, and stayed a fortnight. Ho ascertained she had been visiting Bcthune's house, and spoke to her about it. On April 13, when ho returned to his homo from work, he found his wife was away. She had loft a note saying good-bye. A fortnight later she met him by appointment. He found she had stayed at Milton with Bethune, and at once commenced proceedings for divorce. Afterwards he saw his wife and respondent at Roxburgh. After evidence, his Honor granted a decree nisi, to be made absolute after three months; co-respondent to pay costs. WHISTON v. WHISTON, Husband's petition for dissolution of marriage on the ground of desertion. Mr Hanlon appeared for the petitioner, Win. Whiston, of Hanmer, hairdresser. The petitioner said he was married to Elizabeth Hill M'Donald in December, 1902. There were no children. They lived at different stations as a married couple, and finally took up house in South Duncdin. Witness worked at Port Chalmers, lie afterwards worked at the lime and cement works at Miiburn. About Easter week, 1907, on returning to his home he found an empty house. His wife had cleared out and the furniture was gone. llis wife's people could not tell him anything about her. Six months afterwards lie met in Duncdin a lady who used to live opposite them in South Duncdin. This woman said she had seen his wife in Lyttelton, on her way to Sydney. A year later witness saw his wife in the Oban Hotel, Duncdin, with a man. He asked her what she was doing (here with a man. and she said that was her own. business She also said she was going to remain as she was, and that she was sorry siie had ever got married. Tn 1915 witness went to the war with the Second Reinforcements. He was invalided home, and arrived in Wellington this year. Ho had since received a letter from his wife, suggesting a divorce, and saying she would not oppose it. She also asked for an appointment to talk tho matter over. Witness did not keep the appointment, but Liter on he met his wife, and said ho would take proceedings for a divorca. His Honor granted a decree nisi, to be made absolute after three months. CUMMINO V. CUMiriNG. Motion for decree absolute and for custody. Mr Hay appeared for the petitioner, Sarah Ann dimming. There was no appearance of tho respondent, Alex. Gumming, of Brisbane, metal worker. Order made in terms of motion.