UNDEFENDED DIVORCE.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLII, Issue 2219, 23 December 1920, Page 3

UNDEFENDED DIVORCE.

A QUESTION OP ETHICS

An undefended divorce case was heal'd by Mr Justice Husking, at Auckland, on Saturday, when Dulcc Grace Coleman applied fora divorce from Oswald Henry Coleman, on the grouml of constructive desertion. Petitioner, in her evidence, staled that she was married to respondent in St. Matthew's Church, Auckland, on May 191 b, 1914, and after a honeymoon in Australia, extending over about seven weeks, (hey relumed to Auckland. Some Jive months later respondent appeared to have become indifferent to her, and did not want to cohabit with heiv They had not cohabited since [915. Petitioner said her Jm.-band was a very nice man, and she was still willing.(o live with him. Counsel produced letters received from the respondent, in which (he latter staled that he had ceased to Wve his wife, and considered it would be a grievous wrong, both to petitioner and himself, if they remined cohabitation. Such a life, ,-ould only have a debasing effect upon them, He could not limiourabA live with a woman lie did not love, .md he did not think it fair to bring children into the world when the parents did not love each oilier. His Honour said Hie correspondmce provided sufficient corroboration of the petitioner’s evidence. The respondent appeared to take up a : oflv attitude.

Counsel; He speaks in ihe highest terms of his wife, and it is purey on ethical grounds that lie refuses to live with her.

A decree nisi was granted, to be made absolute in three months, respondent to pay costs.