A DIVORCE CASE.

Waikato Times, Volume XXVI, Issue 2116, 30 January 1886, Page 2 (Supplement)

A DIVORCE CASE.

Tatum v. Tatum and Hughes.— This wo» the petition of Mr George Tatnm, a building material dealer and timber merchant, for a divorce, by reason of the adultery of his while with the co-respon-dent, Mr Albert Henry Hughes, a publichouse manager. Answers were filled denying the charge, and the respondent, in a cross-petition, alleged cruelty ami adultery ou the part of Mr Tatum, which he denied.— Mr George Tntum, the petitioner, deposed that no was married to the respondent on Nov. 23, 1871, and there were five children subsequently born. He lived hapily with her until her mother and brothers came to live in the house. Disturbance occured between them, and in June of last years Mrs Tatum left him, taking with her most of the furniture. He had suspicions as to his wife's conduct, and had her watched ; the result being that these proceedings 'vero instituted. — In cross-examination he denied that he was cruel towards his wife, had never threatened her, or torn her jacket off her shoulders. In Sept., 1884, a deed of separation was executed, by which she had an allowance. He denied he had ever committed adultery with Agnes Hunt. -Mrs Arnell, of Bath -street, Gravesend, gave evidence that last WhitTuesday a man and woman engaged apartmants at her house for the night. Had since identified them. — For the defence. Mrs Selma Tatum, the respondent, waa called, and alleged that her husband had ill-treated her. She gave a denial to the charge of adultery.— One of the witnesses was called, and, in answer to the question of the counsel she stated that she had not'eommitted adultery with Mr Tatum. —By Mr Kept, Q.C. : She knew a man named George Seaford, who passed ai Mr Tatnm. She had on some occasions taken him to be Mr Tatum. — Albert Henry Hughes, the co-respondent, said that he was a public-house manager, and lived at 148, Southgate-road He met the respondent last January. Previously to that period he had made her acquaintance. Both of them had been members of the theatrical profession. He met her at Dalston, and she said that she was going there.— Mr Justice Butt : You had an appointment, then ? — Witness : It was next door to an appointment. Examinaation continued : He spoke to her about changing his apartments, and he agreed to lodge with her brother Jack. Some time afterwards he met Mr Tatum who took him by the throat and said. "Its your life or mine," (laughter), He called witness a card-sharper "and other things," and charged him with commiting adultery with Mrs Tatum. He was afterwards manager of a public-house for a brewery, and employed Mrs Tatum as barmaid. It was not true that he had ever committed adultery with her. — Cross-examined by Mr Kemp, Q. 0 .: After this charge was made he took her into hi« service. She did not live with him, but was only » servant. He was at Gravesend on Whit Tuesday. —Mr Kemp, Q..C, then called Dr Beswick, who said that he was called in to attend a person he now knew as Mrs Tatum. The entries made in the day book were for attendance on " Mrs Hughes." — George Ryan, a private enquiry agent, said that last Whit Tuesday ho watched outside 7. Grove-road. He saw the lady in court now (Mrs Tatum, whom he pointed out) who left the house. She took a tram to Bow station, where she met the co-respondent, and they travelled together to Gravesend. They took apartments at Bath-street. — His lordship came to the conclusion that the husband had established his ca9e, and he granted a decree nisi, with costs. The wife's petition was dismissed.