DIVORCE PETITIONS

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LXIII, Issue 19025, 27 May 1936, Page 8

DIVORCE PETITIONS

AN UNUSUAL CASE OVER r»0 YEARS MARRIED NEVER LIVED TOGETHER Among swornl undefended divorce petitions which came before -Mr. Justice Reed, acting Chief Justice, in the Supreme Court, yesterday afternoon >vas an iininsua! case of a couple wlio were murried in 1884 and who had never lived together.

This was the ease in which Annie Christina Clayden (Mr. W. Blathwayt) applied for a decree nisi against Alfred William Clayden, on the grounds of desert ion.

The petitioner, in evidence, said she was married in Gisborne on August 5, 1884. She had never lived with her husband, and ihere were no children ot the marriage. Eroni the date of the marriage she bail earned her own living. and had been living under her own name. Respondent had made repeated promises to make a home lor her, but lie had not done so. She had been always ready and willing to live with him.

Ada. Emily Beer, J.P., widow, said she had known. 1 lie petitioner s.uioc childhood, and knew her in the Nelson district for 12 years after her marriage and had known her in Gisborne for 85 years. Witness knew petitioner had been earning her own living, and had not lived with her husband.

A decree nisi was granted, to be made absolute in three months.

CLARE V. CLARE Charlotte Irvine Clare (Mr. J. \\. Blathwayt) applied for a decree nisi against 'Herbert Lindiey Charles Clare on tlie grounds of desertion. Petitioner said she was married at Dunedin on October 25, 1921. After their marriage, they lived in Gisborne. There were two children. In October, 1931, respondent had a nervous breakdown. bhe took him to Christchurch for the purpose of receiving treatment. In 1932, she went to bring her husband home, but lie declined to go home. She again saw him in April, 1933, when she took proceedings against him for maintenance. The matter was settled by counsel by taking a transfer of shares, which subsequently proved ineffective, and she received no maintenance from him. Last year she took proceedings against him for maintenance of the children, and she secured an order. Since her husband had refused to return to her, she had had to earn her own living and support the children. Leonard Grey Barton, dentist, Gisborne, said lie was a brother-in-law to respondent. In 1931 the respondent was taken to Christchurch, and witness confirmed the evidence of the petitioner. A decree nisi was granted, petitioner to have custody of the children.

CURTIS y. CURTIS Jack Lidgett bloody Curtis (Mr. S. V. Beauioy) applied for a decree nisi from Vera Agnes Curtis. Petitioner said that he was married on March IC, 1931, .and lived with his wife in Gisborne for eight months and for three months at Putnrnru, ne.tr where her parents lived. Ilia wife then went to live with her parents, and did not reply to a letter he sent asking her to return. She had made no application for maintenance. Ralph Truxton Morse, drover, Gisborne, said lie had known the petitioner for four or five years, during which time petitioner's wife had not resided in Gisborne, and petitioner was living alone. A decree nisi was granted, to be moved absolute within three months.

HAMTOEA V- ITAMIOEA Gladys Audrey Edwards Ilamiora (Mr. ft. V. Beaufoy) applied for a deoroe 'nisi against Paul Ngamoko Aramakutu Ilamiora. Mr. Eeaufoy .stated that the petitioner was a white woman who had married a Maori, and was known by the name of Samuels, which was the European equivalent of Ilamiora. Petitioner said she was married to the respondent on October 14, 192 G. There were two children. In July, 1929, they entered into a separation.

Anna Marie Howard, mother of the petitioner, said that since her daughter was separated, tiie couple had lived apart.

A decree nisi was granted, to lie moved absolute at the expiration of three months, petitioner to have custody of the children. Costs were allowed at the lower scale.

MELVILLE V. MELVILLE Thomas Outhbert Webster Melville ('Mr. S. V. Be.aui'oy) applied for a decree nisi against Gertrude Mav Melville. Petitioner said that they were married in Gisborne on February 19, 1927. On July 14, 19.12, they entered into an agreement to separate on the grounds oi' domestic unhappiness. Thomas Ernest. Whitfield, tailor, said he had known petitioner for a number of years. lie also knew the respondent, and knew they had not lived together since the separation. A decree nisi was granted, ,to be moved absolute within three months.