CHARGE OF BIGAMY.

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1831, 18 August 1913, Page 5

CHARGE OF BIGAMY.

(By Telegraph— Press Association.)

Auckland,, August 17. At tlio Magistrate's Court yesterday, John Edward M'KeO, aged 37, was charged that on January 18, lull, at Ifawera, he committed bigamy. Sirs. May Smith stated that silo knew accused and his wife at tlio timo of tlieiv marriage in October, 1901, and was a. witness to tlio marriage ceremony, which took jdace at tlio bruin's home at l'onsonby. Tho couple left Auckland smii afterwards, but JJrs. 31'Keo subsequently returned, and was now living at Ponsonby. Mrs. Hannah Sanderson, mother of Mrs. M'Kce, gave similar evidenco as to tho niarria.se. .She stated that to the bast of her knowledge lior daughter had never been divorced. Thomas Cullaii, registrar of births, deaths, and marriages at' Auckland, produced a certificate, copy of records relating to the marriage.

A young woman with whom accused wag stated to have gone through the form of' marriage, stated t'liat the ceremony' took place, in the registrar's office at Hawera cn January 8, 1911. She understood that M'Kce had been divorccd from his former wife. She asked him whether he had any panel's to show concerning the divorce, but lie told her that they wero so tattered and torn that he had to destroy them, but ho could get new copies for A'-i. Ho told her that Mr. T. M. Wiliord, solicitor, of Wellington, hnd acted for him ill obtaining tho .divorce. Charles Hill, registrar, at ITawora, produced his records of tho ceremony, and staled that he could identify the parties. M'Kce reserved his defence and was committed for trial.