DIVORCE CAUSES.

Dominion, Volume 7, Issue 1906, 14 November 1913, Page 3

DIVORCE CAUSES.

COURT GRANTS TEN DECREES. During the two hours which the Divorce Court lasted yesterday no fewer than ten dissolutions of marriage were sanctioned by His Honour Mr. Justico Chapman. In oi'ie case the decree was held over so that- two childreal, bom (before marriage, eould be legitimised.

A decree nisi, with costs against tho co-respondent (James Bast) was mado in the case of William Joseph Dicker v. Lylio Eliza Dicker. Mr. Wilford appeared for the petitioner.

In the case Blatcher v. Blatcher, the granting of a decree nisi was deferred so that iho two 'children born before marriage could bo legitimised in the terms of tho Registration Act. Petitioner (Clara Elizabeth Blrvlier), who was represented by Mr. D. Smith, stated that sho lived at 14 Marian Street, Wellington. Sho was married to Charles Blatcher on May 14, 1903, but was separated from him on account of his unsober habits. An affiliation order also had been made against him last year on the application of one Cecilia Ford.

Having deserted his wife at Wellington 17 years ago, since when ihti had maintained herself, a decree nisi wife granted against Johaii Frederick Lauck, on the petition of Florence Dora Lauck. Mr. Wilford was for petitioner. Desertion was the cause of another divorce, William John Tidymau, labourer, having deserted his wife, Eva Margaret Tidy.man, housekeeper, Wanganui, in June, 190.8, six years after marriage. Mr. Wilford, for petitioner. Beatrice Evelena To-vey, who alleged misconduct against her husband (Sydney Tovey), stated that she was- married to him at Wellington in July, 1900, before which she had children to her former husband. A decree nisi was granted, and Mr. Wilford remarked that respondent agreed to pay £10 costs.

. Julia Moffatt, who petitioned for a divorce from Herbert Moffatt, related that having engaged a private detective sho helped him to keep watch on Iter husband, who kept a. milk shop in Ghuznee Street. Sho described the nature of her investigations. Private Detective Froo having corroborated these statements, a decreo nisi was granted.

Eceldowno Frederick Hiscocks, artist, who was married at Wellington to Eva Isabel Hiscocks, alleged misconduct against his wife as a ground for divorce. A decree nisi was granted. Mr. Wilford represented petitioner. Consequent on admissions made in a lawyer's office on another matter, a decree nisi was made against' John ISlackburn on the petition of Catherine M'Naughton Blackburn, who alleged misconduct, which ho admitted in tho presence of 'Mr: Wilford and his managing clerk. Havingi boon deserted eight years ago by his vnfo (Elizabeth Turner), a carpenter na-nod Thomas Turner asked for a dissolution-of the marriage, etnth 'that when living in Brisbane her ''"r----band left his clothes and ,tho pillowlaid across tho bed in the shape of a cross, with his hat in tho centre, and had never returned. Some time after. when he was coinine to Now 7,eal'>nd ho wrote and asked hot' to rejoin him. but received no reply. His Honour held that tho fact of the respondent having forwarded a certificate and -the correction of- her Christian 1 name showed that slio had knowledge of i)n» pp+'tion. and did not wish to oposo it. The decree nisi would bo granted, Mr. Wilford 'appeared for petitioner. ' : Edith Bransgrovo sought a div»rec> from 'William Henry Bransgrovo, bingraph operator and actor, against whom she alleged misconduct, Mr. F. C. Pctherick represented petitioner. Petitioner, who said she was married in 1901, having given evidelico, a decree nisi was granted with an interim order or 17s. Gd. a week alimony. Judge Insists en Rules. On the case Arundel 'Harry Smith v. Angelina Josephine Maud Smith being called, petitioner was giving evidence when His Honour called Mr. Wilford's attention to tho fact that tho dates of the childien's births were not entered in the petition, and added: "I won't hear the case until the petition is amended." / Mr. Wilford: The usual practice His Honour: Never mind the usual practice; the rules are simple enough. Over and over again I have had to refer to this simple matter, and for some reason the facts* are kept back. I doirt , know the roason. It has given mc endless trouble and a great loss of time. If you. read tho rules it is a'very simple matter. Mr. Wilford: There has been a practice in tho past His Honour: I don't care, about the practice in the past. There is no excuse whatever for departing from the rules. Mr. Wilford asked for leave to iasert tho names and dates of birth of the two children. This was allowed, and subsonuently„'thc petition having been amended to tho satisfaction of His Honour, tho case was nroceeded with. Petitioner stated that ho alleged misconduct against his wife. The decree nisi was granted.