BIGAMY ADMITTED

Dominion, Volume 20, Issue 41, 12 November 1926, Page 5

BIGAMY ADMITTED

AN UNUSUAL EXCUSE OFFER TO SET HIM UP IN BUSINESS • Dominion Special. Christchurch. November 11. An unusual excuse for committing bigamy was made in the Magistrate’s Court by a young man, Joseph William Henry Darke. He said that the mother of the girl with whom he went through the second form of marriage offered to set him up in business, and pressed him into the marriage. He was charged as Alexander Davidson, but admitted that bis name is Darke when lie came before Mr. J. G. L. Hewitt, S.M. Detective W R. Murray (Wellington) said that on November 1, with Detective Bayliss, he arrested Darke at Trentham" in connection with a maintenance order. In the Detective Office at Wellington Darke admitted that he was the man referred to in a marriage certificate from Wales, dated September 25, 1916, and that an order was made in New Zealand for the maintenance of his two children in Wales. He had a seaman’s dis-charge-book, showing that he arrived in New Zealand on the Pakeha from Southampton in January, 1921. Darke in a statement said that bis wife was discontented, and he went to sea, leaving her with the children. On his return she said that she did not want to have anything to do with him He replied that he would go to sea again, and would make her an allowance. He went to sea as Davidson, because he did not want to be connected with his wife, He told her that he would give, her an allowance of £2 a week for herself and the Children, but that it would be sent under the name of Davidson She said, "You must put me down as your sister.” He had not communicated with his wife since he saw her in November, 1920. He admitted going through a form of marriage with Margaret Ross at Christchurch, on May 29, 192’2, giving his name as Alexander Davidson. Margaret _ Ross’s mother offered to set him up in business if he married Margaret. He believed that his wife was dead, because he heard it from his shipmates, but he did not try to verify the information. He lived with Margaret Ross in Christchurch and in Wellington. and then went into the country. On returning he found that she had gone. For the past few months be had been keeping company with a married woman, but lie did not go through the marriage form with her. Darke pleaded guilty and was committed to the Supreme Court for sentence. Bail was allowed in one surety of £2OO, or two of £lOO.