SUPREME COURT.

Dominion, Volume 7, Issue 1916, 26 November 1913, Page 10

SUPREME COURT.

DIVORCE PETITION IX CAMERA.

Mr. Justice Chapman presided at the Supremo Court yesterday morning whin tlmro was a brief sitting in divorce. The oaso was that in which Martha Kachael Edlin, of Lower Hutt, praved that her marriage with William Archer Kdlni, of Long'ourn, be dissolved on tho ground of misconduct."

When the caso was eallcd, Mr. H. Cooper, of Palmerston Xorlh, informed His Honour t.hat thp resjwndeiit had originally engaged liim (Mr. Cooper) to appear, and a defence had" been filed. Catmsel, however, liad not seni' his client for some months, and could not therefore lot him know that the ease was coming on. Sir, T. M. Wilfavd. v;no appeared for the petitioner, had shown him (Air. Cooper) n document signed by respondent in which the latter stated- that, he did not intend 1 to put in an appearance. In the circumstances counsel did not intend to applv for ail adjournment, Init ho did not feel justified in going any further with the defence. His Honour, after glancing at the document, remarked: "That exonerates you at all events,"'llr. Cooper.'' Mr. Cooper then withdrew. On tho application of Sir. Vilford, His Honour agreed tlmt tho caso should bo taken in camera, and that the jury should be dispensed with. The.■respondent did iiot. appear.'and, after hearing evidence, His Honour granted a decree nisi, to be made absolute in three months, with casts on the lowest scale Against the respondent.