MISCONOUGT!

New Zealand Times, Volume XLVI, Issue 10605, 2 June 1920, Page 4

MISCONOUGT!

m UNDEFENDED SUIT WIFE OF G. V. PEARCE SECURES DIVORCE. INTERESTING EVIDENCE. (By Telegraph—Special to "Times.") WANGAXTJI, June 1. Patea, and other portions of Soutii Taranaki were not a little, curious aa to the reason why, on the eve of the general election, Mr Massey forced his old supporter, Mr G. V. Pearce,,. out of the fight and threw the official mantle of Reform over the shoulder* ol Mr Powdrell. It may be that om of the reasons for the Prime , Mini*, ter's desertion of an old ally could bft found in certain proceedings which took plat* at tho Wanganui Supreme Court to-day, when Margaret Pearce nought a dissolution of .her marriage, with George V. Pearce. on the* grounds of adultery.

Mr M. Myers, who appeared for thepetitioner, in outlining tho caso, pointed out that respondent, who was formerly a member of Parliament, was estimated to be worth anything up to: £"V)0,OOO in 1017. Petitioner secured! a spparation, Mrs Pearce getting cus. tody of the youngest daughter and recemng £IO,OOO. Mr Pearce also made provision for the other children. Subsequent to this respondent was suspected of misconduct, and petition., er's son discovered letters of an incriminating _ nature. A certain young woman visited respondent's placo at. week-ends, and opportunities were taken to go walks together. It would be shown that this young woman was, later, too ashamed to face her people, and went to Svdnev. In the sub, Beouent search for information, the copy of an entry of a birth at Sydney was procured.

Petitioner, being called, save eri.. dence to the effect that she married respondent in 1393, and they lived at Ivakaramea until 1917, in which yea* she obtained a separation. There wera three children of the marriage. She now resided in Wanganui. She had reason, last year, to suspect respondent of having misconducted himself with a gul who lived at Patea.

Cedric V. Pearce, son of petitioner, said he was away at the war when his parents separated, and on returning, rrom the front he lived at his father's house. He knew the young womai?. mentioned in the case. 'She waa about 22 years of age and was a, resident of fatea. She used to come pretty frequently to the house a,t week-ends, being invited by witness's 6ister at respondent's request. On occasions this girl and respondent went out together, in November last witness accidentally "found a number of letters in his father's room while in search of a press for a tennis racquet.

Mr Myers at this stage produced tho letters read various extracts. One of them, lie said, concluded with,. "All mv fondest, love and kisses.'' Another letter advised him not to stand far Parliament as he would not have any chance. "Tiiis letter," added Mr.uyers, continued. "We are the talk of the countryside." Proceeding to quote from other letters Mr Myers read another: extract: "I am miserable and lonely and all I can think oC is my trouble, but I suppose all you think of is the election. Don't tell anybody. Sleep is the only thing to make, me forget myself. Goodnight, dear love." Mr Myers tendered documentary evk dence of a birth registered at Sydney in January, 1920, by the young- woman, who lrad gone to Sydney. No evidence was offered on respondent's behalf, and a decree nisi wae granted with costs on the highest scale.