LAW REPORTS.

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1600, 18 November 1912, Page 3

LAW REPORTS.

9 SUPREME COURT. IN DIVORCE. FURTHER UNDEFENDED CASES. Further undefended divorce petitions were taken'in the Supreme Court on Saturday morning, before the Chief Justice (Sir Robert Stout). Isabella Duncan petitioned for divorce from Alexander Scott • Duncan on the ground of desertion. Mr. 11. Myers appeared for the petitioner, while Mr. D. G. Jackson appeared for the respondent, who did not oppose the application. It appeared that the parties were married on June 9, 1887, and subsequently lived together at Woodside, Featherston, Wellington, and again at Featherston. Thero were four children of the marriage. In 1900 the respondent left his wife, but paid her occasional visits until four years ago, since when he had completely deserted her. For the past twelve years, the respondent had failed to maintain his wife and family; A decree nisi was granted, with costs against the respondent, the petitioner to have interim custody of the children under age. Desertion and failure to maintain were the grounds on which Fanny Whitaker prayed for dissolution of her marriage with William Thomas Whitaker". Mr. C. W. Neilson appeared for the petitioner. The evidence tendered showed that the parties were married in Yorkshire on January 20, 1875, and after living at Bradford for six months they came to Wellington. There were three children of the marriage. Eight years ago respondent left for Tasmania, and since then had failed to maintain his wife. He was now living in Petone with another woman. His Honour granted a decree ,nisi on the usual terms. ' ~ . Matilda Anne Southee asked that nor marriage with Alfred Southee be dissolved on the ground of misconduct. . Mr. C. W. Neilson appeared for the petitioner. The parties were married in August, 1899, and lived together at Akatarawa until a month ago. There was one child of the marriage. The respondent was now. living at Alfredton with, another woman. He had offered to transfer ; the equity of a farm at Akatarawa 'to his wife on condition that the 'latter made no claim for alimony. , His"- Honour granted the "decree, nisi with interim custody of the child. In the case of Maria Duff v. .William Absalom Duff a decree nisi was granted. It appeared that the .marriage took place in November, 1890, and since December, 1900, the respondent had been confined as a lunatic under the Lunatics Act. Ihere was no likelihood of his recovery. Mr. D. G. Jackson appeared for the petitioner. , ~ tI T," Jokn Griffiths, for whom Mr. E. R. Kirkcaldie appeared, petitioned for aivorce ' from Philomene Griffiths on the 1 ground of desertion. The parties married' on March'. 7, 1894, and lived together in Auckland until 1900. From that 3ate the respondent had declined to live with petitioner, and had not since con 1; municated with him,. His Honour granted the decree nisi on condition that personal service was effected before the decree was made absolute. , . A decree absolute was granted m the caso of Elizabeth. Elliott Blake v. Charles Sago Blake, the wife to have oustody. ot the child-! Decree absolute was also CTanted in the cases of Milligan v. Milligan, Soffo v. Soffe; and Caulton y. Caulton. Mr. T. M. Wilford appeared m each in." stance.