AN AUSTRALIAN DIVORCE CASE.

Dunstan Times, Issue 514, 23 February 1872, Page 1 (Supplement)

AN AUSTRALIAN DIVORCE CASE.

The long pending and repeatedly adjourned suit, Fire brace v Firebrace, Georges, King, Firebrace, Davenport, and I fogg, came before Lord Penzance on November 29, and excited usual interest. The bar was a strong one on the petitioner’s side, including three Q C.’s ; on the defendant’s, one Q.C. and four sergents. It was a husband’s petition for dissolution of his marriage on the ground of his wife’s adultery, which was denied by her, she in turn accusing the husband of cruelty and adultery with her maid. The petitioner was a gentlemen some 43 years of age and the son of a major in the army in 1808, at St Kilda, he married -Miss Isabe'la Black, the daughter of Dr. Black, well known in Melbourne, the petitioner at the time being 29, and tlio respondent 17. Tho respondent is said to bo a woman of great personal attractions and great accomplishments. The allegations against her were that she had committed adultery with petitioner’s brother, with a number of army oliicers, and thatshe had seduced Hogg her nephew, then only 15 years old. It was proved that she had strong drinking propensities; and in his evidence petitioner admitted that his mot-her-iu law reproached him for not properly managing his wife, alleging as reason’s that “ho gave her to much money, and he did not beat her.” The case resulted in a verdict for the respondent on all the charges also in favor of the petitioner regarding the counter accusation. A new trial is demanded. - i •