DECREE MADE ABSOLUTE

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LXIV, Issue 19315, 4 May 1937, Page 5

DECREE MADE ABSOLUTE

MRS. SIMPSON'S DIVORCE

BRIEF COURT CEREMONY DUKE LEAVES AUSTRIA (Elec. Tel. Copyright—United Press Assn.) (Reed. May 4, noon.) LONDON, May 3. Mrs. Ernest Simpson's divorce decree was made absolute in the Frobatr, Divorce and Admiralty Division Court to-day. Within a. few moments of the decision, the Duke of Windsor and Mrs. Simpson were informed by telephone. In 50 seconds, less than 100 words spoken by Sir Boyd Merriman, president of the Divorce Court, and the clerk of the court, sufficed to make absolute 86 decrees nisi, including Mrs. Simpson's, which was numbered 56. Although the procedure was merely formal, hundreds queued up at the entrance to the Divorce Court. The President's Court was crowded when Sir Boyd Merriman took his seat on the bench* beneath the rope and anchor, which is the symbolic sign of the Probate, Divorce and Admiralty Division.

Immediately the clerk of ■ court roso and. reading'from the official list, said: "Applications to make absolute decrees in causes numbers 1 to 76 from the principal registries."

Sir Boyd Merriman asked: "Does anyone appear to show cause why the decrees should not be made absolute?" No Eesponse to Judge There was a pause of five seconds, in which silence reigned, after which Sir Boyd Merriman said: "I then pronounce the decree nisi as made absolute." A similar procedure was followed with the remaining decrees from district registries, and the crowd dispersed. It is now reported that the Duke of Windsor left St. Wolfgang this afternoon, a day before he expected, entraining at Salsburg for France. The Duke of Kent is expected to represent the Royal Family at the wedding. The first oart of the honeymoon will he spent at the Villa Leroe on Lord Cholmondeley's estate at Cannes.

The Duke of Windsor's sudden decision to leave St. Wolfgang for France this afternoon was made after a telephone conversation with Mrs. Simpson. The Duke, keeping his promise to make a statement to pressmen before leaving, ordered his equerry to summon them. Journalists, hastening in the doorway, stumbled over luggage and golf clubs piled ready for departure.

The equerry stated that the Duke of Windsor ' had telegraphed Herr Miklas, the President, thanking the Austrian Government, police, postal officials, and people of all classes for their untiring kindness and hospotality. The Duke of Windsor, in excellent spirits, came out to oblige press photographers, with whom he .jested in German, asking where they all came from.

The Duke of Windsor, looking fit and happy, accompanied by his Cairn terrier, later departed on the Paris express, which, it is understood, he will leave at Troyes, continuing the journey to the Chateau de Cande by car. Farewell by Villagers A message from St. Wolfgang says that the villagers crowded into 50 illuminated boats' and picturesquely farewelled the Duke of Windsor. Singers, dancers, and a brass band, assembled on a platform, supported by two barges, proceeded to the villa after dusk, leading a procession of watercraft. The Duke of Windsor stood on a balcony for two hours listening to folk songs and watching the clogged performers demonstrate national dances. At the conclusion he received the burgomaster, who expressed the village's sense of honour over the Duke's visit.

The simple pageant was not even marred by the Nazis, who seized the opportunity" to set on fire, a giant swastika on a hillside.

A message from Tours states that Mr. Herman Rogers, on behalf of Mrs. Simpson, says there is no statement to make. " Mrs. Simpson has not planned a celebration of her decree absolute.

GIRL KISSED BY PRINCE WAR INCIDENT RECALLED NOW. MAGISTRATE'S WIFE LONDON, May 3. The story of the Duke of Windsor kissing a pretty French girl on the Somme battlefield lies behind the plans for his marriage to Mrs. Ernest Simpson, says the Tours correspondent of the Daily Mail.

The Mayor of Monts, the nearest town to the Chateau de Cande, is Dr. Charles Mercier, whose wife recalls that when King George V visited the Somme front during the Great War, the British headquarters were, situated in the village in which she resided. Her father frequently entertained the British officers, and she was chosen to present a bouquet to King George, who thanked her and asked the Prince of Wales also to express his thanks. The Princo shook hor hand and kissed her on the cheek.

Now Dr. Mercier, as chief magistrate, will marry the Duke of Windsor and Mrs. Simpson. Dr. Mercier confirms the statement that the date of the wedding has not yet been fixed, but he has been asked to' visit the Chateau de Cande shortly to discuss the arrangement with Mrs. Simpson and the Duke of Windsor.

Madame Mercier says: "I am sure the Duke has not forgotten the Somme incident. 1 should love to attend the wedding." Mi's. Simpson has been golfing and looks sunburnt The Duke of Windsor is expected to be met at a secret rendezvous near Paris, with a car from the chateau, in which Mrs. Simpson may travel to greet him.