QUEER DIVORCE SUIT.

Sun (Christchurch), Volume I, Issue 187, 12 September 1914, Page 3

QUEER DIVORCE SUIT.

STRANGE OFFER BY CORESPONDENT.

What was described by counsel as a very sad case came before Mr Justice Bargrave Deane in the London Divorce Court, when a decree nisi was granted against Mrs Ethel Annie Whiteley because of her misconduct with Captain Lancelot P. Gladwin (says an English exchange). Mr Barnard, K.C., for the husband, Mr Frank E. Whiteley, said the marriage took place at Kensington Parish Church in 1904. They resided at Inverness Terrace and other addresses.

They lived happily until Easter, 1912, when they went to Eastbourne. There they met Captain Gladwin, who was staying there with his wife, who was very ill. After two months Mrs Gladwin died.

In August, 1913, Mrs Whiteley and her children went to stay at Minehead, Somerset. She had a suite of rooms in an hotel, which were cut off from the rest of the building. Mr Whiteley knew that his wife was going about with Captain Gladwin, but had no suspicion that anything was wrong. On January 20 this year Mrs Whiteley suggested she should go to Brighton, and on the following day Mr Whiteley received a long letter from Captain' Gladwin containing a confession of misconduct. Wife's Confession.

He went to Brighton, and showed his wife the letter. The result was that she wrote: ; —

My Dear Frank, —I am very sorry to have to tell you that what Lance said is perfectly true. He and I have been great friends for over a year. . . . You have been such a good, kind husband to me, and I hate to grieve you, but what is to be done? You had to know. I only ask for forgiveness, and assure you whichever course you consider best to pursue I will agree to. I shall never cease - to love you for all your great kindness to me.

—Your affectionate wife, Ethel. " Counsel mentioned that the co-respon-dent wrote to the husband's solicitors asking that the first letter of confession should not be read in court, in order to save Mr Whiteley's feelings and those of the late Mrs Gladwin's relatives.

Mr Whiteley began divorce proceedings, and then his solicitors got a rather extraordinary document from Captain Gladwin's solicitor. It was written to Mr 'Russell, solicitor, who was at the time acting for Mrs Whiteley. It said: I am now instructed to propose the following terms in the W business: (1) Captain Gladwin to provide £IO,OOO in cash, to .be paid to a trustee. (2) Captain Gladwin will insure his life on an endowment policy for £SOOO, also to be assigned to a trustee, maturing, say, 15 years hence or on the death of Captain Gladwin if within the period. (3) Until the £SOOO policy has matured Captain Gladwin covenants to pay interest on the sum to the trustees at 5 per cent, interest. . (4) Captain Gladwin to pay your own and Sir George Lewis's costs. The provisions 1, 2, and 3 to be for Mrs Whiteley and child, and, in case the child dies, provisions 2 and 3 to cease, and the policy to revert to Captain Gladwin. j Plea for Forgiveness.

On March 4 Mr Whiteley received the following letter: —■ My Dear Frank, —I am writing.to ask you to overlook and forgive what I have done, and take me back. I implore it for the sake of our children. I promise that if you will do so you will never again have reason to regret it. I know that you feel very bitter towards Captain Gladwin, and I quite understand your feelings, but I don't see how you can punish him without ruining me and the children. Therefore I beg you to agree to the provisions Captain Gladwin has offered to make for me. I know that in asking this I am asking a great deal, and I would not put forward such a request if I did not know the kindness and, generosity of your nature. Mr Whiteley refused to agree, and a few days later his solicitors received notice that the wife would not defend the petition. On March 19 Captain Gladwin's solicitors wrote that if the petitioner would withdraw his claim for damages unconditionally through the court in the ordinary way it was the co-respondent's intention to marry Mrs Whiteley as soon as the law permitted. Mr Whiteley withdrew that claim. After other evidence has been given, a decree nisi was pronounced, with the custody of the children.