APITI DIVORCE CASE.

Rangitikei Advocate and Manawatu Argus, Volume XLII, Issue 11617, 16 August 1918, Page 7

APITI DIVORCE CASE.

At the Palmerston Supreme Court Tuesday morning, before bis Honour Mr Justice Chapman, Jesise, Margaret McSae petitioned for a divorce from Andrew Reginald McNae, farmer 1 , ef Martou. Mr Oakley appeared for petitioner, and Mr Ongley for the respondent. Mr Onsiey said that the defence would be withdrawn, but respondent desired to be heard on the question of alimony. deposed that she was married to on 12th July, 1899, at Sanson, and afterwards lived at Apiti, Feilding and Pio Pio, Thera were ten children of the marriage, of whom nine were living Fur some time since November, 1913, her husband had been intimate With Mrs Florence Bryne. In the early part of 1917, respondent went to the races with Mrs Bryne, coming back early in the morning. Mrs Bryne lived half a mile away from respondent’s place at Apiti, and was at Mrs Bryns’s place as often as at his own home At Easter, 1917, petitioner met Mrs Bryne and respondent, when respondent said to petitioner, “See this woman here; you had better get out of it.” Later on McNae admitted thst he was ‘‘carrying on” with M-s Bryne, but premised to pull himself together if petitioner still lived with him and they went to another place. She consented for the sake of the home and the children, and _ they went to Pio Pio, hut he continued to correspond with _ Mrs Bryne. Petitioner intercepted a letter to Mrs Bryne, which commenced, “My Dear Flossie ” and concluded, “You are better than all to me, Reg.” When this letter was read in respondent’s presence, he said, ‘‘That stings, doesn’t it?” He used to read extracts from letters he received from Mrs Bryne. Mrs!Bryne went into a private hospital in Pamerston, being taken down by respondent in his car, and he very often visited her there. In 1917, respondent took Mrs Bryne to the first day of the Winter Show at Palmerston, and on the third night of the Show he stayed at Mrs Bryne’s place. He arrived home at noon next day, and said he had had some trouble with the motor car. In October. 1917, McNae and Mrs Bryne had tneii 1 photographs taken together in Palmerston. On making enquiries at a private, hotel in Palmerston, she found that a “Mr and Mrs McNae” had stayed there for two nights as man and wife, hut the proprieior could not identify the parties. Petitioner lived with respondent at Pio Pio until October, 1917, when she left in consequence of his relations with Mrs Bryne. When she was away a week, her husband sent word that the children were sick, and she returned home. When she went hack she had a '‘dog’s life,” and on one occasion respondent hit her in the mouth and broke her teeth. Petitioner asked for custody of the youngest child, and for access to the other children

Mr Oakley said petitioner was unable to earn her own living, and the child she asked the custody of was also delicate. His Honour said be was sure that was not sufficient. He would make an order for 355, and if the parties desired it they could make application to the Eesgistrar for that to be amended.

A decree nisi was granted, with leave to‘make it absolute in six montris. An order was made for the custody of the youngest child, and access to the other children. Alimony was granted at the rate of 35s per week, and respondent was also ordered to pay alimony at the rate of £1 2s 6d per week since December 21st, 1917, the date on which petitioner finally left respondent. On Mr Ongley’s application, the Registrar was ordered to make enquiries regarding the question of alimony.