DIVORCE COURT.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 7941, 20 February 1904, Page 5

DIVORCE COURT.

** [Per Pbess Association.] WELLINGTON, February 20. In the Divorce Court, Ingress Hansen petitioned for a divorce from her husband, Soren Hunsen, on the ground of desertion. Petitioner stated that when fifteen years of age, in 1897, she married respondent at Wellington, with her parents' consent, her father being present at the marraige. ResJwndent was alleged to have led a drunken ife. Two years after the marriage her husband came home amd said he " had had enough of her, and was off." Since then, she had seen nothing of him. He was reportod to be in Dannevirke, but inquiries failed to find him. She was ill aifter his deseTtion, and her baby, fourteen , months old, died. Justice Cooper remarked upon " The criminal conduct of parents in consenting to such early marriages " ; a girl didn't know her own mind at fifteen, and she was- not fit to bear children. Petitioner had not, at the time, of her marriage; even reached tho maximum eckool age. As a question of dates was involved, it being necessary to prove five years' desertion, the case was adjourned until next Friday for the production of further evidence* and certificates relating to the birth and death of the child.