Bigamy Charge.

Hokitika Guardian, 24 August 1922, Page 1

Bigamy Charge.

DENNISTON MAN’S TRIAL. COMMITTED FOR SENTENCE. GREYMOUTH, August 23. A story of two wives was unfolded before Mr W. Meldrum, S.M., at the Magistrate’s, Court this morning, when Arthur Ernest Taylor, an Englishman, following the occupation of fitter at Denniston, admitted having married an Otira school-teacher whom he led to believe he was a widower, knowing that he had a wife alive in England. The main charge against Taylor was that at Hokitika on the 22nd. day of October, 1926, being a person then married, he did "go through the form of marriage with one Janet Mary Wylie, thereby committing the crime of bigamy, Arising from this be was further charged with makin a false declaration to the Registrar of Marriages at Hokitika.

Detective J. B. Young prosecuted, and the accused was represented by Mr W. J. Joyce.

Detective Young said that the aocused was horn in England, and at the age of 22, married a girl named Mabel Fox at Woolwich in 1907. A child was born. Accused left for New Zealand in 1910. He left with the Field Engineers in the Expeditionary Forces. He lived with his wife in England, when another child was born. He returned to New Zealand, and later met a school teacher named Miss Wylie, whom he married on the date named in the charge. One child was born of this marriage. The police took action as the result of a complaint received from the first wife. John Janies Corich, police constable, of Westport, said that accused was working as a fitter for the Westport Coal Company at Denniston. When witness approached accused first on October 6, 1921, he asked him if he was married in England, and if his wife and children were alive. At first ho hesitated, then he said : “It’s no use beating about the hush; I don’t suppose they can hang a man for it!” Ho then admitted that he had a wife and two children in England, and that he also had a wife and child residing in Greymouth. At witness's request accused made a signed statement (produced) to tills effect.

To Mr Joyce : The accused had resided in Denniston since the statement was signed, and was a decent, sober, hardworking man.

Detective Young gave evidence of the interview he had with accused. He told him that it was alleged that he married a girl in New Zealand while he had a wife in England, and that there were certain matters witness wished to clear up, and that he wished to ask a number of questions, as probably accused would bo charged with bigamy and need not answei the questions unless ho wished. Accused, however, was quite frank, and said he would say anything witness wished to know. Witness asked him if he married a Miss Fox at tho Woolwich Registry Office on October 31. 1907, and he replied “Yes, 1 did.” He also admitted that he had been supplied with a certified copy of the entry of the marriage, and was shown a copy of the certificate received through the Inspector of Metropolitan Police, London. He made a statement admitting his marriage in England, and also that h<> married Miss Wylie, knowing that his first wife was alive. The statement was read over to accused, who said it was correct. The detective arrested the accused and charged him with bigamy. Janet Mary Wylie, the second wife, gave evidence that she was teaching at Otira. When she met accused in 1920, she understood from him that he was a widower and they were married on October 22, 1920. at the Registrar’s Office, Hokitika. There was a child horn of the marriage on January 30. 1021.