DIVORCE COURT

Dominion, Volume 13, Issue 44, 15 November 1919, Page 3

DIVORCE COURT

EUTCHINS v.. HUTCHINS. His Honour Mr. Justice Edwards ami a jury of -twelvo heard yesterday mornins -tho petition of who sought. a dissolution of' her marriage with Frederick John Hutchins on the ground of habitual drunkenness. ~ Mr. A. Ilogg appeared for tho petitioner, and Mr. P. W., Jackson for the respondent. . In opemnpr. Mr; Hogs .said the story was an unhappy one. The parties were married at Woodvillo about eight ,yoars aco. The respondent was at that time clerk to the County .Council, and was later promoted to bo town clerk/ Subsequently': he became manager of tlio bacon factory, m:l later still town clerk of Carterton. Ho commenced orinking soon after marriage, aiid eventually became a habitual drunkard. Acts of crueltv on his wife had been committed by the respondent. Evidence iu support of counsel's statement ivas given by the petitioner and her hrother'and sister nnd others. The defence was a denial of habitual drunkenness' an-v of cruelty. The respondent. in liis evidence, admitted that aftijr his wife left him he lyas drinking heavily. When his wife was going awav she did not accuse him of being cruel to her. He' had not received any complaints from her parents. The iurT. after a short retirement, cave a decision in favour of th5 > petitinner and His Honour accordingly Granted a o'ecrep nisi, to be maije absolute in three months, with costs on the lowest sealo. The' petitioner was given the cuctodv of the children.