HUSBAND’S PETITION IN DIVORCE CASE IS SUCCESSFUL.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 18640, 18 December 1928, Page 8

HUSBAND’S PETITION IN DIVORCE CASE IS SUCCESSFUL.

(Special to the "Star.”) AUCKLAND, December 18. A defended divorce petition founded on. the ground of mutual verbal separation, was heard yesterday. The petitioner was Percy Oscar Olliffe, of Auckland, a commercial traveller, and the respondent Lily Stewart Olliffe. The parties were married in Christchurch in April, 1914. While on their honeymoon in Greymouth the petitioner made the discovery that his wife was addicted to drink. That was really the cause of the trouble which culminated in 1918. Respondent had been prohibited and had been in an inebriates’ home for some time. The fact of the separation w’as not denied, and the only question was whether it was by consent. Petitioner was not desirous of avoiding any of his obligations, and was prepared to consent to an order for 30s a week, even after the divorce. Petitioner said that he kept his mother-in-law in his home for several years, and she shielded his wife in the matter of drinking. His Honor said that it was quite clear that the marriage was one in name only. The only thing respondent was at all anxious about was maintenance. He thought the order could be granted on the ground of mutual separation and a decree nisi would be issued, to be made absolute in three months.