UNDEFENDED DIVORCE SUIT

Dominion, Volume 14, Issue 44, 16 November 1920, Page 5

UNDEFENDED DIVORCE SUIT

An undefended divorce suit was heard .. by His Honour Mr. Justice Salmond yesterday morning. The petitioner was Wellesley Hughes Cox, of Wellington, draper's ttssistant. and the respondent Audree Lily Cox. Horace Haycock, of Palmorston, was joined as co-respisnde<nt. The ground of the- petition was adultery, alleged to have been committed at Palmerston North on various occasions. The case was originally set down for hearing before a Judge and jury of twelve, and ,£IOOO damages were .claimed ns against co-respondent.. When the case, win-called on for hearing Mr. T. 51. Vrnforfl, who appeared for both respondent and co-respondent, intimated to His Honour that the defence which had been filed on behalf of his clients had been abandoned. Tito petitioner, on his part, bad abandoned his olaim for damages, and counsel did not propose to take any further part in connection with tho case. Counsel added on bolmlf of co-respondent that arrangements had been made between himself and Jfr. Myers (who was appearing for petitioner), for the payment of the cost* of the proceedings. Petitioner, in cvidenco, said that he was married to respondent at Wellington on December 11, 1915, and there were no children of the marriage: The parties lived together until Octobor in tho following year, when petitioner went to England with the 18th If enforcements as a Y.M.C.A. official. During his absence he allowed his wife- .£l5O a year. On his return to the Dominion in January, l!ll!>. petitioner noticed a change in his wife, ond their subsequent relations wore not happy. After doing Y.M.C.A. work at Hnnmer, he returned to Wellington and took up bis old position, and lived with hit wire until January 15 Inst, when they separated. Since then, he alleged, ■ he had seen respondent in company with co-respondent, both in Wellington and Palmerston North. On uno occasion ho accompanied a private inquiry agent to Palmerston North, and while there sur- • prised his wife In company with co-re-spondent in a room «t the Empire Hotel. A decree nisi was granted, to be moved absolute at this eafl. of thrWmoiftlia.