SOCIETY DIVORCE

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXVII, Issue 8349, 8 February 1913, Page 13

SOCIETY DIVORCE

PEEK’S SON CITED AS THE CORESPONDENT. WIFE’S CONFESSION. Tie Hon. Gilbert Grosvenor, second son of Lord Stalbridge, was cited as oorespondeat in a divorce euit brought in London a, few weeks ago by Captain James Lister Melvill against Ms wife, Mrs Effie Egerton Melvill. The case was undefended. Mr Barnard, K.C., said that the marriage took place at the Hastings Registrar’s Office on September sth, 1897. They lived happily together for some years, but in 1909 the husband became suspicious in reference to his wife’s conduct with the Hon. Gilbert Grosvenor, and a petition was presented. The misconduct was denied, and the members of both the wife’s and the husband's family intervened, with the result that the petition was withdrawn and a deed of separation -entered into. The parties had nved apart ever since. On July 30th, Mrs Melvill wrote to her husband a letter which was practically a confession of misconduct with the corespondent. Inquiries were made, and it was found that the lady and 00-resnou-dent had stayed at the Great Western Hotel, Paddington, in the name of Mr and Mrs Mitchell. Captain Melvill, in the witness-box, said after the marriage they went to live at various places, and finally near Winchester. There was ono child, aged five. He suspected the co-respondent in 1909, and presented a petition. The President: Was ho an acquaintance of yours or a friend? Captain Melvill: An acquaintance. The misconduct was denied by both his wife and the co-respondent, and the petition was withdrawn. On July 30th last his wife wrote: — Dear Jim,—This is a very difficult letter to write, but I have quite made up my mind that the life we are living lately is absolutely impossible for us both, so I have determined to • put an end to it. Three years ago you unjustly accused me of misconduct with Mr Grosvenor. Since then he has been the best friend in the world to me, and wo have now decided to pass the rest of our lives together. If you will make inquiries at the Great Western Hotel, Paddington, you will find _ I stayed there with him as his wife in tho name of Mitchell. I hope for the sake of appearance you will let things go on as they have been till the case comes on, and think as kindly of me as yon can, and got it over aa soon as possible. Evidence was given that Mrs Melvill and the co-respondent stayed at tho Great Western Hotel, Paddington, on July 27th, and the President granted a decree nisi. Tho Hon. Gilbert Grosvenor Is the second son of Lord Stalbridge, chairman of the L.N.W.R., and is, therefore, a cousin of the Duke of Westminster.