CHINESE DIVORCE CASE

Dominion, Volume 21, Issue 125, 24 February 1928, Page 11

CHINESE DIVORCE CASE

DECREE NISI GRANTED. Dominion Special Service. Auckland. February 23. Cecilia Ah Lap, who lias made many appearances before Auckland Magistrates, was the respondent in a divorce suit Heard before Mr. Justice Reed in the Supreme Court to-day. Her Chinese husband. Ah Lap, was grunted a decree nisi on the ground of Cecilia's misconduct with an Indian named Singh Lin, who was cited as co-respondent. It was an undefended case, neither respondent or the co-respondent appearing iu Court. The matter would have been dealt with in a very few moments had it not been for an unexpected hitch. His Honour raised the point as to whether Ah Lap was a naturalised British subject. It appeared that he had no naturalisation papers, and the case was stood down whilst Air McLiver (his counsel) sought legal authority. "I expect I have jurisdiction,'’ said the Judge, "but I should like to be satisfied. Ah Lap mav have been born in British territory in China, in which case he would be a British subject.” Mr. McLiver paid a visit to the Court library, and soon returned with the necessary legal precedent for the granting of the decree, which was made accordingly.