A DIVORCE SUIT

New Zealand Times, Volume XLVI, Issue 10608, 5 June 1920, Page 11

A DIVORCE SUIT

U.IUSUAL CIRCUMSTANCES A RUNAWAY WIFE AND FORGIVENESS. Some interesting evidence was given in the Wanganui Supreme Court the other day when the troubles of two married couples were detailed. , Harold Wright sought dissolution of his marriage with Jessie Phoebe Wright, on grounds of ■ misconduct with Walter Goldsmith, who was joined as co-respondent, and a sum of £3OO was claimed for .him. The extraordinary part of the' affair was that a reconciliation was effected between the two sets of parties concerned in the suit.

Mrs Goldsmith, the wife of co-re-apondent, was married to him in England when he belonged to the New Zealand Expeditionary Force. They came out to New Zealand and settled at Okoia, whilst petitioner had been living at Makirikiri. Goldsmith ran away with Mrs Wright, but it was not long before the wanderers returned. Mrs Goldsmith, wife of co-respond-ent, said she had taken proceedings for desertion againat her husband, but had withdrawn them, as she had forgiven him and they were living happily together again despite his break away. In conversation with the Petitioner and his wife, petitioner had informed witness that he. had forgiven his wife, and that he always had an open home for her. Under cross-examination; witness said that at Putiki one day Mra Wright stated to her that if Goldsmith would not get a, divorce and marry her he would swing for it. Walter Goldsmith (co-respondent) stated tha.t he was a labourer. He admitted going »way with Mrs Wright during February last. He was now on "the most beautiful terms with his wife." He had no intention of going away with Mrs Wright. When he took her honie after a visit to Bis plaoe, witness had a quarrel with his wife that day, and intended to clear out. Mrs Wright also complained of ill-treatment by her husband, and said she would also leave. Witness had no intention of running away with Mrs Wright. He was suffering from sprnw injuries and nerves, andT this caused him to make up his mind suddenly. On the day he cleared out he had been snappy with his wife, and she had been snappy with him, and the whdle business happened suddenly. .' • - His Honour interjected that it appeared to be a repetition of the feiry old story that the woman had given him an apple. (Laughter.) To counsel, witness admitted that there was a certain amount of jealousy between his wife and Mrs Wright. The Jatter was continually smiling at him. -

His Honour: She was tempting you. ( Laughter.) Continuing, witness said Wright, agreed to shake "hands with witneSa on the understanding that he" would noc cross his path again. Jessie P. Wright- (respondent) gave evidence that since her return she had. frequently been under the same root as her husband, and they had stayed at various places together. Her sickness had worried her husband in the first'place, also concern for the children. Personally she did not oavre■whethar a divorce was granted or not. They had not got along top well together. „ ... Counsel for respondent submitted that the petitioner had forgiven his wife, and that was sufficient to prevent liim obtaining k a divorce. He contended that the suit had been launched merely for the sake of getting damages from co-respondent. .His Honour submitted two questions, viz., (1) Has there been condon-,: atioh? (2) What damagesP . . - - v VThe jury, after .an hour and a halfs. retirement, answered the finst ques-, tion in the negative, and awarded petitioner £l5O damages. His Honour then cranted a. decree nisi, to he made absolute in three months. Costs were fixed against col ospondent on the lowest scale.