DIVORCE PETITIONS

Evening Post, Volume CXV, Issue 33, 9 February 1933, Page 13

DIVORCE PETITIONS

TWO HEARD TOGETHER

ADULTERY ALLEGATIONS

SEQUEL TO FRIENDSHIP

Because of their close relationship One to the other two separate suits for divorce called in the Supreme Court to-iay were heard together. Only one issue was involved, and in each case the petitioner alleged adultery. The respondent in the first case was cited as the co-respondent in the second. Margaret Jean Gunter was the petitioner and William Gunter- the respondent in the first case. In the second, Sidney' Alexander Johnson was the petitioner and Alice Maud Johnson the respondent, v. William . Gunter being cited as co-respondent^ The two cases were head by the Chief Justice (Sir Michael Myers) and a jury. • -_ Mr. W. Perry appeared for the petitioner in each case; and Mr. P. Levi, with Mr. J. B. Yaldwyn, for Mrs. Johnson and also for William Gunter in both cases. . CASE POR PETITIONERS. / In his preface to the evidence, Mt. Perry said that the Gunters were married at Wellington on 15th January, 1921, and there had been no children of the marriage. Gunter was a senior messenger and custodian of the Customs building. Johnson, assistant Government meter,inspector, was married itp his wife at Wellington on Uth March, 1918, and there were, two boys of that marriage, aged about 13 and 11. The'two parties (the Johnsons and the Gunters) became acquainted in 1930, and began'to visit one another's houses. /The Johnsons lived in Stone street, Miramar, aiid the ': Gunters at Edgehill, off Kent terrace. Gunter and his wife had a >cai, and quite often they took the Johnsons for a drive. From'about the : middle of 1930 until the beginning of 1932 there was nothing more between, the parties thjin ordinary friendship. '■■;'. MENTION OF A KNIFE. ; In January, 1932, however, continued Mr. Perry, it was alleged 'that the friendship between Gunter and Mrs. Johnson ripened into something more, than friendship. Counsel referred : to various incidents. :He; said that after a visit to Petone with': the Johnsons Mrs. Gunter remonstrated With* her husband. It was alleged ' that; Gunter replied: "Oh, you are only jealous. You always were jealous and I am going to be as friendly with Mrs. Johnson as I have been in the past." ■ Another time, it was alleged, Gunter told his wife that he had bought a big knife and would murder her if sbe said anything more about his conduct with Mrs. Johnson. Further,, in April, 1932, continued counsel, Gunter said he loved Mrs. Johnson and she was 'going to stick to him. iln February, 1932, there was a seriousVquarrel between Johnson and his wife concerning Gunter. During the quarrel Gunter came, into the house. The: upshot was that Johnson ordered Gunterfrom the, house and told Gunter that; he was to have nothing .to .do with his wife. Mrs, Johnson, it was alleged,.got into a hysterical.state. She told her husband, counsel said, that she loved Gunter and could1 not live without him,' and that if heir husband did' not allow her to continue her friendship with Gunter .she would commit suicide. . The only way: Johnson could'paeify his wife was to Write to G_ter telling him'he. was very sorry an'd;that his house was open to Gunter ■again;/:,. '.:'.:. ;/■''. ■:'-_.'■■ .::'A:. X- '-. ::' AiLEGED VISITS TO OFFICE. Evidence would also be given, said Mr. Perry, that Mrs. Johnson used, to visit Gunter in'bis office at the Customs building. On ; 25th May last, year Johnson went home and foundhis wife had'gone. Three days later an agree' ment for separation was entered into between Johnson andhis wife. The allegation was that Mrs. Johnson left her home and children for. Gunter. Mrs. Johnson went to live in Vivian street. Some little time later Gunter told his wife that, he was in serious trouble concerning Mrs. Johnson. M,rs. Gunter reminded her husband that-.she, had warned him'and asked him to ; give Mrs. Johnson, up. It waa alleged that Gunter 'replied that it : was :too ; late; Mrs. Johnson had left, her husband and he had got to stick to her. ' 'BARWCADEiy *tOO_. VThere: would also be "'• evidence:, * Mr. Perry said, that Gunter suggested a separation, but that at that time Mrs. Gunter refused,' although her biisband _ conduct; toward her -bad been cruel ' > and she had; her room barricaded at night to keep, him out. Gunter began to visit Mrs.- Johnson in Vivian street. Onsth July Gunter left his home and since : then^. although the. proceedings were served upon Gunter and Mrs. John^n, as long ago. as .October, it was alleged, they had .continued to live together at 211> Vivian street. ' Evidence wa.s givenl ,by Mrs. Gunter and Sidney Alexander Johnson in stippoft of their petitions.: . Replying to Mr. Levi, Johnson: de-. nied that he had been sulky toward.his. wife for days; at a time. .He also-de-nied* being' cruel to her. "She suggests that, but I never was," he added. ': (Proceeding.)' -