A MIXED MARRIAGE

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXVII, Issue 8341, 30 January 1913, Page 2

A MIXED MARRIAGE

BIGAMY' CHARGE RECONCILES HUSBAND AND WIPE.

The tragedy of tho Sussex Arizes at Lewes was veikvvi.l hy a comic bigamy charge which resulted in the eequittal of ilie accused iimu, George Thomas iioiyor. Prisoner pleaded “Not guilty,’’ asserting that lie was not aware his wile wars alive.

Ernest Gander, farmer, residing near Hexhill, said he was a brother of the prisoner’s wife. Un meeting prisoner casually he had asked how his wile was, and witness had told him ©he- was all right, but did not tell him where she was. Witness’s mother died in 1907 and prisoner attended the funeral, at which his wife was also present, while in November. 1908, during some business transactions with prisoner, he asked how ‘•Nance” was, and witness said she was all right. Prisoner: Whore did tins imaginary conversation take place ? 1 was three yearn in Wales and two years in hospital. Witness replied that it was at a cattle fair. Prisoner: You know very well we havo not been on speaking terms ? Witness: I have always been friendly with you all my life.—lt is a lot of concocted lies. No, it is not. You know we have been friends. We have always gone and had a drink.—You are showing your friendliness to me now, aren’t Vou? I have always been friendly with you.

Eliza Pierce, the second “wife,” then entered the witness-box. She was dressed in a blue costume and furs. Slip said she lived at Pevensey. Mr Baker: Did you go through a form of marriage with the prisoner!" Yeti.—Where was it ut v At Ticehurst Kegibtry Olfice. Witness here produced a certificate of the marriage, showing that on September Sth, 1909, prisoner, described as a bachelor, aged thirty-five, was married to her, a spinster, aged thirty-one. Counsel: And you lived with prisoner as his wife for some period. Yes.—Why did you’ leave him? Well, I had to work for my own living. Ho gave me nothing and carried on with other women.

Prisoner (cross-examining): I was always a good father to your sister’s child. (Laughter.) Witness: 1 dare say you were, considering she was maintaining you. (Renewed laughter.) Why were you in such a rage when I fell out of the cart and cut my head open ? Because you were afraid of letting people know we were going to get married r No, I wrs in a rage with you because I knew it happened through your being drunk. Mr Balclock, Assistant-Registrar at Ticchur&l, formally proved a marriage ceremony taking place between prisoner and Miss Pierce.

Mrs Holyer, prisoner’s legal wife, then entered the witness-box smiling. Prisoner: When did you leave me? -About thirteen or fourteen years ago.—Have I epoken to you or had any communication witli you since? No. The Judge; But you did not want to see him? Witness: Yes, I did want to see him.—Were you at your mother’s funeral? Yes, I want down and back again.—How long have you been buck lo Jive witli your husband? I went back fifteen months ago. Tho Judge: Oh, you have not told us that! (Laughter.) The Prisoner: Have you any cause to regret coming back to me? “No,” replied. the witness amid subdued' merriment, which caused the witness herself to smile. The Judge: After he married Miss Pierce you went back to him? Witness: Yes. (Laughter.) After a short deliberation tho jury returned a verdict of “not guilty,” and prisoner was discharged.