DIVORCE PETITIONS

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 89, Issue 264, 8 November 1945, Page 7

DIVORCE PETITIONS

SEVERAL WANGANUI CASES SUPREME COURT SITTING Most of the petitions for divorce set down for hearing at the present quarterly sessions ol the Supreme Court, Wanganui, were uealt with yesterday by Mr. Justice Finlay. All were undefended and only a few cases of this nature remain on the list. One or two petitions heard yesterday had been adjourned from the August sessions after being part heard. Ernest Walker (Mr. T. C. Kincaid, Taihape) petitioned for a divorce from Alice Emma Walker on grounds of a verbal separation agreement. Petitioner said they were married at Lower Hutt on August 26, 1919, and subsequently lived there and in Taihape. There were five children of the i marriage. For 12 years, however, he and his wife failed to agree over money matters. Petitioner added that respondent did not pay the bills and involved him in debt. Eventually they agreed to separate and on September 2 1942, respondent left home. A few days laler she went to Wellington. They had not lived together since. His Honour: Are you sure it was September 2?

Petitioner: It was early in September. I would say approximately September 2.

His Honour: Unless you can establish the date with a degree of certainty the three years were not U P when this petition was entered. Petitioner said he remembered giving his wife a cheque aL the time. He recalled having looked up the date whes interviewing his solicitor. His Honour: The date is most important in this case. A decree nisi was granted, to be made absolute after three months. Eric William Gribble (Mr. K. A. Williams, Marton) petitioned for restitution of conjugal rights, respondent being his wife, Nancy May Gribble. Mr. Williams intimated that this petition was part heard before Mr. Justice Fair at the August sessions in Wanganui. Replying to his counsel, petitioner said his wife had not yet returned to him. He had a home waiting for hen at Tutaenui. His Honour made an order for restitution of conjugal rights within 21 days. Violet Anastasia Holmes (Mr. Williams) petitioned for a dissolution of her marriage with Alfred Henedge Earle Holmes on grounds of adultery. Petitioner said that they were married in Marton in July 1927, and had one child. Her husband went overseas for a time and after his return to New Zealand lived with petitioner for three months, when he left her and went to Christchurch with another woman. This woman was formerly a friend of petitioner’s. A decree nisi was granted, to be moved absolute after three months. Interim custody of the child was granted to petitioner and respondent was ordered to pay costs. A returned soldier from the Middle East, Owen Wilfred Hodson (Mr. G. W. Currie) petitioned for a divorce from Joyceline E. Hodson on grounds of adultery, Norman Neil Johnson being cited as co-respondent.

Petitioner said that after their marriage on March 7, 1942, they lived at Hunterville and Wanganui. At that time petitioner was in camp. There were no children of the marriage. Giving evidence on her son’s behalf, petitioner’s mother said her son went overseas in August, 1942, and returned to New Zealand five weeks ago. Witness produced a copy of a birth certificate showing that a child had been born to the respondent and corespondent. His Honour granted a decree nisi, to h* made absolute after three months. Costs were allowed against the co-respondent. John Walter Churton (Mr. A. A. Barton) petitioned for a divorce from Frances Kui Churton on grounds of failure to comply with a decree for restitution of conjugal rights. Petitioner said this decree was made in August last, but respondent had not returned to him and he had not heard from her. A decree nisi was granted, to be made absolute after three months. William Oliver Biggar (Mr. D. G. Young) petitioned for a dissolution of his marriage with Margaret Biggar, Stanley Bergerson being cited as corespondent. They were married in 1928 at Marlon and had lived also at Wanganui, Kai Iwj, Fordell, Kakaramea, and Waverley, said petitioner, who added that there were three children and one legally adopted. In April or this year respondent left after saying that she did not want to have anything more to do with him.

Some time in October, petitioner added, he and another man visited a house in Wanganui at 10.30 p.m. They flashed an electric torch through a win dow and saw respondent and corespondent in compromising circumstances. Bergerson was known to them.

Petitioner said that when his wiie saw him she called out: “You can get your divorce and do what you like.” She also threw her wedding ring at him and after a few more words petitioner left. He had not seen her since. After corroborative evidence had been given, His Honour granted a decree nisi, to be moved after three months. Petitioner was granted interim custody of the children and costs were allowed against the co-respond-

Alma Lillian Murray (Mr. B. C. Haggitt) petitioned for a divorce from Harold James Murray on grounds of an agreement to separate. Alter their marriage in November, 1937, they lived at Palmerston Nortn and Christchurch, said petitioner, who added that while in Christchurch respondent was employed as a commei-' cial traveller and was frequently away from home. They had a disagreement nnd separated. Questioned by His Honour petitioner said there was a definite agreement to separate. A decree nisi was granted, to be moved absolute after three montns. Petitioner was granted interim custody of the children. Mary Isobel Bergers »n (Mr. T. D. Ally, Raetihi) petitioned for an order for restitution of conjugal rights, respondent being her husband, Leslie John Bergerson. This application was part heard at the August sessions ana was adjourned for further evidence. His Honour made an order for respondent to return to his wife within 21 days. Sarah Ellenor Pull (Mr. V. B. Willis) was granted a decree nisi, to lie moved absolute after three months. Respondent was Rupert Leslie W. Pull and the petition was for divorce on grounds of separation. I ’elitioner said in evidence that they were married in March, 1930, and had two children. On March 4 19-12, an order Im separation was made i.i the Magisl rale’s Court, Wanganui, and Ihe partics had not live I 10-.-elher Patel ini custody of the childrc.j was granted to petitioner.