BIGAMY CASE AT DUNEDIN.

Globe, Volume IV, Issue 331, 5 July 1875, Page 3

BIGAMY CASE AT DUNEDIN.

The following bigamy case was before the Resident Magistrate’s Court on the 24th ultimo:—Charlotte Catherine Amelia Schmid was charged by Sergeant-Major Bevan with marrying one Michael Dryden at Dunedin on May 15th, 1875, Louis Schmid, her former husband, being then alive. Prisoner, a showily-dressed young woman, was not defended. The following evidence was given : Jean 0. officiating clergyman of the Roman Catholic Church—On the 20th February, 1871, I was residing at Christchurch, and was officiating minister under the Marriage Act of New Zealand. On that day I married Louis Schmid to one Kate Amelia Wingate. The last time I saw Schmid was on the 19th of the present month. He nas then living and well in the city of Christchurch. I recognise the accused as the woman I married to Schmid in 1871. I produce the marriage-book ; it was duly signed by the said Louis Schmid and the accused (Kate Amelia Wingate) in my presence. M. Dryden, express-driver, residing in Dunedin—l know the accused, and was married to her on the 15th of last month by the Rev Dr Stuart, at the house of John Meikle, Cumberland street, I knew her then by the name of Catherine Amelia Charlotte Winzer. The clerk (to accused) —Any questions? Accused, (defiantly shaking her hand at the witness) —Not at present—not till my trial, Donald McNaughton Stuart, D.D, of the Presbyterian Church of Otago, and officiating clergyman under the Marriage Act of New Zealand, deposed that he recognised the accused as the person he married to Inst witness on May 15th last. He produced his register marriage book, and witnessed the signature. Inspector Mallard, who conducted the prosecution, handed in the New Zealand Gazette to show that both of the clergymen who had given evidence were duly gazetted. This closed the case for the prosecution. Accused, on being cautioned, said—l say this much : that Michael Dryden knew that I was a married woman at the time of my marriage to him ; and further, he knew that ray husband was living in Christchurch at the time. She was committed for trial at the next sittings of the Supreme Court to bp held at Dunedin in the early part of next month.