FAILING FOR DRINK.

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume XXXX, Issue 13108, 23 June 1913, Page 8

FAILING FOR DRINK.

,^m. ». In the Divorce Court at Napier last week Jessie Margaret llodgcrs sought a divorce from Anthony Rodgcrs, on (ihc grounds of habitual drunkenness and desertion. Mr Lusk appeared for petitioner. Jessie 'Margaret Rodgcrs deposed that she- was married in 1905 and lived at Taihape. Respondent began to drink about three months after the marriage took place and was hardly ever sober. Lived in Taihape two years and respondent drank the whole of that time. Petitioner had to support hersel by keeping boarders. Her husband was a jeweller and a good tradesman. They then went to Wanganui and 'remained there for twelve months. He got worse, and was continually drinking. Two- prohibition orders were taken out in^Wanganui and one in Taihape. Ho wasn-athei worse during the period of the orders. Respondent then went to Gisborne and 'continued to drink. He lost -his billet on account of it. Ho then started on hie own account, and respondent was put out and wit;ness ? home was taken from her. Witness had to support herself- and to a great extent support her husband. A prohibition order was taken out against him in Gisborne, and ho had been brought before the Gisborne and Napier Courts and fined. Witness came to Napier and respondent followed her. He made no effort to support her. , Rodgers then went On a Union Company boat as a steward, but again lost his* billet through <hink. Believed he Was now in Gou-lburn, near Sydney. During their married life, respondent had been an habitual drunkard, and had not sup ported her. John James Keane, road overseer for the Cook County Council, deposed that he stayed with Rodgers as a lodger, and during that time respondent's condition was that of an habitual drunkard. His Honor granted a decree nisi aft<er three months, costs being recorded against respondent on the lowest scale.