Exercised Woman’s Privilege To Change Her Mind.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 18703, 7 March 1929, Page 10

Exercised Woman’s Privilege To Change Her Mind.

WIFE DECIDES TO DEFEND HUSBAND’S PETITION IN CHEVIOT DIVORCE CASE.

THE STORY of how a woman changed her mind was told in the Supreme Court to-day when Alexander Elliott, of Cheviot, farmer, petitioned for divorce from Georgina Fleming Elliott.

Mr Hunter, for the husband, said that he petitioned under a separation order. The wife originally filed an entry of appearance only, but recently she filed a cross-petition and an answer to the husband's petition. In the cross-petition, she alleged that the separation was brought about by the husband's fault. Counsel was told that the wife would not defend the husband's petition, but she had changed her mind. The husband did not care whether he or his wife got the divorce. The real difficulty was custody of the four children. The wife had custodv under the separation deed, but the Child Welfare Officer at Timaru had stated that the children were not properly looked after. They had been in the husband’s custody ever since. They should remain with him. Mr Bums, for the wife, said that she was very keen to get the children back. That explained her attitude. She wished to put forward her own claim for a divorce, and to state the facts of the separation, as they reflected on the husband’s conduct. She alleged that the home was broken up

by another woman, who, she alleged, still was with the husband or near him. She did not wish the other woman to have anything to do with the children. She was not telling a frivolous story. Mr Hunter: If she sues for a divorce, we are prepared to let her have it, but there is no need for her to attack the husband. His Honor Mr Justice Adams said that the wife had exercised a woman’s privilege in changing her mind. If she wished to get back her husband, her object was not truly admirable and Christian. It was not necessary to place her interesting—or uninteresting—story in the town crier’s hands. It would not be made public unless the Press thought fit to search the files. Mr Burns said that the wife was in domestic service. She had had two days off this week, and would find it inconvenient to attend Court to-day. He asked for an adjournment. His Honor said that he did not think that the Court could be delayed because a party in a case was engaged in domestic work. Further hearing was adjourned until this afternoon.