[I*eb United Press Association.]

Colonist, Volume LXII, Issue 15239, 28 November 1919, Page 5

[I*eb United Press Association.]

Auckland, Nov. 25. A defended divorce case with some rather unusual features was 'begun at the Supreme Court before Mr Justice Cooper and a jury of twelve. The petition was that of Gordon Hodder, who alleged misconduct. An "appearance" but no answer was tiled by respondent, Florence Evelyn Hodder, on whose behalf proceedings were watched by Mt Moody. The suit was defended by the co-respondent, Carl Ifwersen. It was explained that on the application of the co-respondent an application had been made severing the issues as against respondent and co-respondent respectively, and that therefore no statement made by respondent otherwise than in co-respondent's presence could be admitted as evidence against him. This severence of issues was stated by His Honour to be the first on record in New Zealand .

Mr Singer said that both petitioner and co-respondent were well known in football circles in Auckland. The petition alleged misconduct on two occasions in Sydney last July; and two in Auckland in September. The rather extraordinary course- which the case had taken, ' however, had prevented petitioner from making use of anything that his wif« had stated, and he must confine his charge to one particular act of misconduct at Auckland. The petitioner stated that co-respond-ent Ifwerson was, to his knowledge, a professional footballer. Early this year he and his wife went to Australia, and later Ifwersen, who was a member of the New Zealand football team touring Australia, called upon him at his home m Sydney. He had known Ifwersen well in New Zealand. He had n 0 cause to suspect anything against Ifwersen and his wiie, and they ali three returned to New Zealand or. tho same steamer. After evidence as to alleged misconduct had 'been given; Mr Paterson, for co-respondent, said he would call cviI doneo to show that Mrs Hodder became infatuated with Ifwersen, and kept ringing him up, although he gave her no enotmrasement but :did his best to avoid her. ■■ The aiiegkiions of ' misconduct were a^hifetl by Ifwersen. Auckland; Nov. 27. Hodder was granted a decree msi and the custody of the children, costs amounting'to £53 8s being given against Ifwerson, the co-respondent.