POKENO CASE

Pukekohe & Waiuku Times, Volume 9, Issue 548, 13 July 1920, Page 2

POKENO CASE

SEQUEL TO A TRAGEDY,

A sequel to a tragedy that occurred at Pokeno last December was a petition by William Henry Parsonage (Mr. Meredith) at Auckland yesterday, for the dissolution of his marriage with Constance Elizabeth Parsonage, now in the Mental Hospital during the Governor-General'.s pleasure. Counsel said it was shown at the trial of the respondent for the murder of her child at Pokeno that she was living with a man named who was the father of the child! The respondent had been adjudged insane, and had been placed in trie Mental Hospital, She had now recovered, and a certificate that she was in a fit state to accept service of the citation would be given by Dr. R. M. Beattie, medical superintendent at the Mental - Hospital. Counsel added that he had arranged with Mr. Ostler, respondent's counsel, for the latter to interview the respondent and assure himself that Mrs. Parsonage was in a fit state to receive the citation, but apparently the matter had been overlooked by Mr. Ostler before he left the Dominion. He suggested that evidence should be "taken in support of the petition and decision deferred pending the production of an affidavit by Dr. Beattie.

The Judge agreed to this course, and after evidence had been heard from the petitioner and Mrs. Laura with whom respondent boarded at Pokeno, the case was adjourned.— Herald report.