NOVEL DIVORCE SUIT.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 19807, 26 November 1919, Page 3

NOVEL DIVORCE SUIT.

WELL-KNOWN FOOTBALLER THE CO-1 lES I ’ON DENT. [Per Press Association.] AUCKLAND, November 25. A defended divorce case with some rather unusual features was begun at the Supremo Court, before Air Justice Cooper and a jury of twelve. The petition was that of Gordon Hoddcr, who alleged misconduct. An "appearance,” hut no answer, was filed by the respondent. Florence Evelyn .Uocldor, on whose behalf the proceedings were watched by Air Moody. The suit was defended by the co-respondent, Carl 11wersen. It was explained that, on the application of the co-respondent, an order hud been made severing. the issues as against the respondent and corespondent respectively, and that thercioro no statement mado by the respondent otherwise than in tiio co-respon-dent’s presence could he admitted as evidence against him. This severance of issues was stated by his Honor to bo the first cm record in New - Zealand.

Mr .Singer said that both the petitioner and the 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 iu September. The rather extraordinary course which the case had taken, however, had prevented the petitioner from making use of anything that his wife had stated, and he* must confine his charge to one particular act' of misconduct at Auckland. r lhe petitioner said that the corespondent Jfwcrsen was, to Ins knowledge. a, professional footballer. Early this year ho ami his wife wont to Australia. and Inter'lfwersen. who was a member of the New Zealand football team touring Australia, called upon him at hi.? homo in Sydney. He had known Ifwersen well iu New - Zealand. Ho had no cause to suspect anything against Ifwersen and his wife, anil they all three returned to New Zealand oil the same steamer.

A iter evidence as to alleged misconduct had been given, Mr Paterson, for the co-respondent, Raid he would call evidence to show that Airs, Hoddcr became infatuated with Ifwersen and kept ringing him up. although he gave her no encouragement, hut did his best to avoid Lor.

The allegations of misconduct were denied by If worsen.

The case had not concluded when the Court adjourned.