SUPREME COURT

Hokitika Guardian, 26 August 1931, Page 6

SUPREME COURT

SORDID DIVORCE CASE. (By Telegraph—Per Press Association) WELLINGTON, August 25. Holding that- 'in law, Asher’s conduct induced his- wife’s adultery, the Chief Justice, in the* Supreme Court to-day, refused the petition for divorce by Tom Asher, against Maata Asher, of Greytown, but granted Mrs Asher, a divorce on the cross-petition. The jury had held that the allegations of adultery had been proved against petitioner, respondent, and the co-respondent, Russell Elliott, of Greytown. His Honour said he thought the case bad and disreputable, so far as the co-respondent was concerned, in bis Honour’s opinion, the. co-respondent had deliberately taken advantage of the knowledge of the relationship between petitioner aud respondent, and but for his intervention, the wretched business relating to marital relations between the petitioner and respondent would not have come before the Court. In his’opinion the c-ase was one in which the co-re,<Iponeut should he condemned in costs. Petitioner was ordered to. pay the wife’s' costs, and the ’ co-respondent was ordered to 1 indemnify Asher for what lie has to pay his wife, and also to pay petitioner’s costs. DAMAGES CLAIM. CHRISTCHURCH, August 26. Gordon Melton Gunn, a dentist, of Christchurch, was defendant in a claim for damages totalling, £BO3, heard in the Supreme Court before Justice Adams and a jury. The claim arose out of an accident that occurred, on Papanui Road on Sunday, February 22, when John Priest, 75 years, was knocked down and injured. Priest who is a retired farmer, was pljp'ntiff in the claim. Negligence was denied. The case is proceeding.