PEER'S AFFAIRS

Rotorua Morning Post, Volume 1, Issue 99, 17 December 1931, Page 5

PEER'S AFFAIRS

(Press Assn.'

lord langford wife alleges desertion and sues husband for maintenance DEFENDANT BORLf IN N.Z.

— By Telegra ph — Copyright).

. LONDON, Tuesday. The -bearing was commenced of the action brought by Lady . Langf or'd wife of the Auckland-born peer,. Lord Langf ord, for maihtenance. He was formerly Mr. C. W. T. E. Rowley and succeede'd to the title-on the death of his uncle early this year. • ; ■ The action was heard in the West London Police Court. Complainant said that defendant left Dublin in 1.922 for London, heavily in debt.1 He returned in 1923 but went back to London, after which he proceedod^ to Australia and Ganada, representing himself as a single man. She instituted a divorce action on the ground of desertion. While he. was in Australia Lord Langford wrote asking her forgiveness, but she replied that he was a heartless wretch. He deserted her after iiving On her people for many months. ' Mr. Cairns> for Lord Langford contended that the wife refused to accompany him to Australia which was tantamount to desertion. The Magistrate: I do not concur in that view. ' Divorce Proceedmgs Dropped Mr. Cairns': In 1923 she says, "I'll be d if I will live with you any more." Lord Langford abandoned his divorce proceedings owing to lack of money. He made an affidavit regarding his Career in Canada, which included singing in eskimo territory, and tending cattle aboard ship in an attempt to make a career as a vocalist. f From Melbourne he wrote to his wife in 1926, offeringher a home, but got no reply and remarried. He. returned to England and learned that complainant was alive. Counsel for the wife said that Lord Langford wrote the story of his life for a Sunday newspaper. He could support a wife. The lady he married in Australia should now he in England whither she had journeyed in ord er to rejoin him. Lady Langford was now living with her mother in Kensington. His brother was contributing to her upkeep. Lord Langford was staying at Bury Mansions, Jermyn Street, in the West End, and did not seem to need .money. Wife's Evidence Lady - Langford, in evidence, said her hushand became a Catholic in order to marry her. He. inherited from his mother £3000, but was annoyed to find it was subject to mortgage. ; Witness denied that he invited her to Canada or Australia. She was penniless. Witness at this stage broke down., On resuming she said Lord Langford defrayed the cost of the honeymoon with her rings. She has written the story of her life for the "Daily Express" on coming into the title but that made her ill, compelling her xesignation from the tea shop position she held. Mr. Cairns agreed that Lady Langford had the right to stay away from her husband, but that was not desertion on his part. . . The hearing was adjourned till December 19.