JUDGE HEARS DIVORCE CASE.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 18450, 28 April 1928, Page 4

JUDGE HEARS DIVORCE CASE.

WIFE DENIES SHE NEGLECTED HOME

(Special to the “Star.”) AUCKLAND. April 28

The hearing of the divorce petition of William George Bright against Maria Catherine Bright on the ground of- mutual separation was continued in Court yesterday before Mr Justice Blair.

Mrs Bright said that in the earlier part of their married life they were quite happy together. She had never accused her husband of impropriety with a maid at Westport. There had been a flirtation going on in the kitchen when she was very ill in the next room in 1906. Once, when a doctor sent most urgently for medicine for her he was away so long that the doctor said, “ My God, man, what kept you to long?” Her husband hardly ever saw her when she was ill and took no interest in her. Ilis sister coming into the home “capped it all.” Respondent said that when she returned from a holiday after her illness she found no room prepared for her, and her husband refused to occupy the same room with her. About 1915 her husband became very friendly with a

“ Mrs T.” He used to come home about 4.30 in the morning, saying that he had been at his club. “ I go to church a bit,” continued respondent. “ On Sunday mornings and evenings, too.” She was not in the habit of going out to church meetings on week nights—only two or three times a year. She contradicted the allegations that she had neglected her home and her husband. Mr Sullivan, for the wife, submitted that on the facts there was no mutual agreement to separate between the parties. Even if there were, petitioner committed a matrimonial offence before the agreement by his desertion and general neglect.

His Honor agreed to hear legal argu ment next week.