UNUSUAL DIVORCE CASE

Dominion, Volume 13, Issue 53, 26 November 1919, Page 8

UNUSUAL DIVORCE CASE

By Tolograph—Press Association. Auckland, November 25. A defended divorce case with, sorilo rather unusual features was begun at tho Supreme Court to-day, before Mr. Justico Coiiper and a jury of twelve. The potiI: n was that of Gordon Hodder, who al..ged misconduct on "appearance,", blit no answer was filed by tho respondent, Florence .Evelyn Hodder, on whoso behalf the proceedings were watched by Mr. Moody. Tho suit was defended by the co-respondent, Carl Ifwersen. It was explained that on the applicar Hon of the co-respondent an order had been mado severing tho issues as against the respondent and the co-respondent respectively, and that therefore no statement made by the respondent otherwise titan in co-respondent' 6 prcsenco could lw . admitted as evidence against him. This severanco of' the issues was stated by His Honour to be tho first on record in Now Zealand.

Mr. Singer said that both' the petitioner and tho co-respondent were wellknown in football circles in Auckland. The petition alleged.misconduct on two occasions in Sydney last July, and two in Auckland in September. Tho rather extraordinary course which the caso had taken, however, had prevented tho petitioner from making use of anything that his wife had stated, and he must confino his charge to one particular act of misconduct at Auckland. - The petitioner said the co-respondent Ifwerson was to his knowledge a professional footballer. Parly, this year ho and his wife: went to Australia, and later Ifwerson, who was a member of the New Zealand football team touring Australia, called upon him at his home in Sydney. He had known Ifwersen well in New Zealand. Ho had no : cause- to suspect anything against If.worscn and his wife, and they all throe returned to Now Zealand on tho same steamer.

After evidence as to the alleged misconduct had been given, Mr. Paterson, for the co-respondent, said he would call evidence to show that Mrs. Hodder became infatuated with Ifwersen and kept ringing him up, although.he gave her lio encouragement, but didjiis best to avoid' her. The allegations of misconduct were denied.by Ifwersen.

The case had not concluded when the Court adjourned.