DIVORCE CASE

Timaru Herald, Volume CXXXIX, Issue 20027, 7 February 1935, Page 6

DIVORCE CASE

DECREE NISI GRANTED In the Supreme Court yesterday, before His Honour, Mr Justice Johnson, Arthur James Cross (Mr J. Emslie) petitioned for divorce from Mary Alice Cross on the grounds of wilful desertion. Petitioner stated that he was married on January 26, 1921 in Temuka. He later farmed at Craigmore until January, 1925, when he came to Timaru and lived with his wife until May, 1931. On May 11, 1931, his wife left him, and had not been back since. She had a habit of coming and going whenever she pleased, but he remembered May 11, 1931, because on that day his wife took away all her clothes. He had been in the country all day, and on returning found the house unlocked and empty. His children had been taken by the State about nine months previously. Subsequently he received a letter from his wife stating that she was going to stay in Temuka for some time, but she did not mention when she was coming back. He had seen her only once since. He asked her what she proposed to do, and she replied: "You ought to be used to baching.” A decree nisi, to be moved absolute after three months, was granted, petitioner to have interim custody of the children.