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NZ Truth, Issue 1202, 13 December 1928, Page 2

live at a v house of Mrs. Williams' father, and it was while there that her husband began to' stay out at night. His prolonged absences eventually aroused Mrs. Williams' suspicions and she engaged a private inquiry agent to watch him. The result of * the tracking of Williams was his discovery one night with Mrs. Sissons m a timber yard. The wife was present at the de- : nouement and convincing evidence was secured. ' Mrs. Williams' own story was that she was married m May, 1920, and there was one child of the marriage. Throughout their married life they had not been happy. Her husband was addicted to drink and had been reprimanded by his department for his weakness for the bottle. They had had serious disagreements, which ruffled and greatly upset her. Apparently Williams is not much of a home-maker. With him it was a case of here, there and everywhere. During the, matrimonial wanderings they lived m no fewer than fifteen houses m Auckland 1 alone. He had never set up a proper home for his wife, she said. Her father came to the rescue and put them m a, house, but although they lived there for some time, things continued to be most unsatisfactory from Mrs. Williams' point of view. ■• About Christmas last year, Mrs. Williams noticed that her husband's affection began to cool towards her. He displayed his indifference to his home obligations by going out at nights and remaining away until midnight or after. . .' • She tolerated this for a Avhile, but finally she began to protest. When she complained about it and asked him where he had, been his reply was always the same, "That is my business." But she would not accept this airy explanation, and at length her suspicions were aroused. When, one morning, following a late return home, she noticed traces of sawdust on his coat, her suspicions assumed a definite form. He had given her to understand that he played poker a good deal, but Mrs. Williams wondered how sawdust could be picked up m a poker school. She decided to keep her weather eye open and find out what her husband was up to. A private inquiry agent named Potter was employed, and it was. through Potter's efforts, aided by a man named McGurr, that Norman's little love affair with Mrs. Sissons was discovered. Mrs. Williams took Patrick McGurr into her confidence, and sought his aid m uninasking her erring spouse.

The Judge: But now that it has happened ypu are not sorry to lose him? — No, I am not. Lawyer Moody: Your affection for your husband ceased- last Christmas did it not? — No, not until he misconducted himself with this woman. ' Is it not to punish your husband that you have brought these proceedings against him ?— No, as I did not wish to have the matter settled privately mysolicitor said the only other course was to take these ' proceedings. I .thought these proceedings would make my own and the child's position safer. Wlien did you first arrange to have your husband watched? — About three weeks before we caught them. Mrs. Williams volunteered the information that on the night of the showdown slie was disguised m a lpng overcoat and blftck stockings. This enabled her to get close to her husband and Mrs. 'Sissons, who failed to see the private inquiry agent, McGurr and Mrs. Williams' until they were very close to them. Lawyer Moody:. The next day you spoke to your husband about it? Mrs. Williams said she and her husband had "a couple of words" and she then went to the gramophone and put on the record: "She knows it and so do 1.". Counsel: You were actually happy then about the whole business. "I was happy to think I had found him out after trusting him for so long," was the prompt reply. Is not your mother behind these proceedings? ' Is she not anxious to separate you and your husband ?— No she is not. Patrick McGurr told a detailed story of how Williams had been watched. On the first occasion on which he watched them he saw Williams and Mrs. Sissons on a tram car. On another occasion he saw the pair of them meet m a shop porch. . He followed them again on a subsequent night. On the night of the discovery of the pair m the timber-yard, the three watchers secured definite evidence. ' ' Lawyer Moody asked for a short adjournment which was granted. Following a consultation with Williams, counsel returned to court and intimated that after the evidence of McGurr it was useless going on and would withdraw the answer. Discussion followed as to Williams' means and it was ascertained that his salary was a little over £4 weekly. Of this, Mrs, Williams will receive 30/---for herself and the child, to whom Williams is £b have reasonable access.