DIVORCE SUIT FAILS

Hokitika Guardian, 8 July 1920, Page 4

DIVORCE SUIT FAILS

GJ.SJJUiiXE CAUSE CELEJ3RE.’ GISBORNE, July 3. The hearing ol a divorce suit which occasioned much local interest has just been concluded at Gisborne, before Mr Justice Sim.' The court was occupied lor over two-days with the case. The petitioner was Henry Merry Horne, who sought a dissolution of his marriage with Emily Horne, on the ground of her alleged misconduct with George Brown Oman, who was joined as co-respondent. The co-respondent is one of the leading men of Gisborne, a resident of 'i(i years’ standing, licensee of the Gisborne -Hotel, and closely connected in other ways with the trade. Very lengthy evidence was given on hehalf of the petitioner, alleging misconduct between Mrs Horne and Mr Oman on several occasions in her house, in tlie house of an acquaintance, and in the servants’ quarters of the Gisborne Hotel (co-respondent’s hotel). Also there was evidence of co-respon-dent having been seen fondling respondent’s hand during a demonstration o*l Peace night, and of his having kissed her at the wharf when she and her daughter were leaving for Sydney. Petitioner and another, witness testified that they distinctly saw Mr 'Jinan leaving« Mrs Horne’s house on more than one occasion at night-time, and there was also a. story of how petitioner coining home unexpectedly early one night discovered an intruder, (alleged to be Mr Oman) in the house. The intruder, he said, made a hasty exit over the hack fence, and when petitioner went inside lie found his wife to be rather scantily clad. There were several other incidents which the petitioner regarded as suspicious, and indicative ol something moie than mere friendship between liis wife and Mr Oman. These ■lie related at some length. The defence consisted in a flat denial of the allegations of petitioner and his witnesses. Emphatic evidence in this directioji was given by respondent and co-respondent, and the fact that petitioner’s home had been broken up was attributed in evidence to his cruelty town rds li is wife and family, rather than to the attentions of Air Oman. A Gisborne solicitor was called to state that at the time a separation order between Horne, and his wife was being negotiated Horne had said he was satislied that the charges of indiscretion lie had made against his wife were without foundation.

, The jury found against the petitioner, and the petition was dismissed by His Honour with costs, on the highest scale to both respondent and co-respondent, from whom £2OOO damages had been claimed.