WARD V, WARD.

Colonist, Volume LXII, Issue 15259, 22 December 1919, Page 2 (Supplement)

WARD V, WARD.

Grace Aroha Ward petitioned for a dissolution of her marriage with John Henry Ward, on the grounds of desertion. Mr J P. Hayes appeared for the petitioner, who stated in evidence that she was marvied to respondent on November 30t<u, 1909, and they resided together at hawera and other places, and finally at Nelson. There were two children of the marriage. For a time her husband was second cook at the Masonic Hotel,* and she was cook at the Trafalgar Hotel. She had always supported herself and her children. In June, 1914, her husband left Nelson without making any provision for her maintenance. He (communicated with her from Hastings, stating that he could not send her money. The day after war broke out he wired stating that he had! enlisted. She wrote to him when he was in camp at Auckland, but her last letter was returned endorsed "JNot in camp.'' She had received no money from him since he left her. She had no idea where he was, although she had en- - deavoured to find his whereabouts.

Cecilia McGillivray, wife of Thomas McGillivray, licensee of the Trafalgar Hotel, said that petitioner had been in. her employ for five years. She knew that respondent had done nothing for his wife during that period. A decree nisi was granted, to be moved absolute in three months, petitioner to have interim custody of the children and respondent to pay 15 guineas costs, with expenses.