A SINGULAR DIVORCE CASE.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 6668, 14 December 1899, Page 4

A SINGULAR DIVORCE CASE.

. <> • [Per Press Association.] AUCKLAND, Dec. 13. In the divorce case Theodore Percy Arnold v. Marian Arnold, a motion for a. decree nisi, dissolving marriage on the grounds of deisertion, there was no appearance of the respondent. The petitioner stated that he was a B.A, of Oxford University, was formerly junior master at the Boys' High School, Christchurch, and was now a farmer at Hokitika. Respondent was the daughter of a surgeon in the Indian Army. In the year 1886 petitioner was a teacher in the Taranaki district, and in that year respondent left him, as she said she objected to live in a small country place, and preferred town. Two years later she wrote a letter to respondent, giving the reasons for her desertion. The principal ground was that petitioner insisted upon smoking when she strongly objected to it. She considered that a man who tsmoked was worse than a drunkard, and looked upon tobacco as a worse drug than opium, its effects en a person, who took it being far worse. Another reason she gave for leaving him was that he spent too much money on botanical excursions. Professor De Montalk, who witnessed the marriage, also gave evidence. His Honor granted the decree as prayed. .