BIGAMY CHARGE

Rotorua Morning Post, Volume 2, Issue 235, 26 May 1932, Page 5

BIGAMY CHARGE

fPress. Assn.—

police evjdence of visit to home HUSBAND IN WITNESS BOX

-By Telegraph— Copyright).

HAMILTON, Wednesday. Denying a chai'ge of bigamy in the Magistrate?s Court this morning, Muriel Hilda Holmes (32), was committed to the Supreme Court at Hamilton for trial. Bail was ailowed. James Harold Holmes, painter and pauerhanger, of Greymouth, gave evidence that he married the accused at the Registry Office in Auckland in November, 1920. They lived together at Takapuna for a couple of years, and a child was adopted. After they had lived in Greymouth for a short time his wife left for Aucklandand he had not seen hei* since. She took out a maintenance order against him at 30s a week, which ceased six months ago. The order was in operation for between five and six years. He had taken divorce proceedings against his wife, which would be heard next month. Would Not Have Her Accused said the reason why she took out a maintenance order was because her husband refused to keep her or have her return to him. She said she held a letter from Holmes to this effect. Rev. James Burrows, minister of the Presbyterian Church, Melville, Hamilton, testified that he performed a marriage ceremony between Muriel Roberts and Joseph Wilson in his church on April 2 last. He recognised the accused as Muriel Robertson. Corrobative evidence was giyen by Harold Bermister Ryder, employed at the Waikato Hospital, who witnessed the marriage ceremony performed by the previous witness. Police Evidence Constable Fraser said he entered a house in Mahoe Street, Hamilton, occupied by Wilson. The latter was under the influence of liquor, but -the accused appeared to be sober. During the argument which followed witness' arrival Wilson said: "How would you like me to tell the constable what I know about you?" She replied: "Oh, it is nothing- It is only that I was not divorced from my first husband when I married you." Detective G. A. McWhirter, of Auckland, said he interviewed the accused at Auckland oh May 14 last in connection with her alleged bigamous marriage. She made a statement ifi which she said she was living in Auckland as Mrs. Porter. She had understood her husband was taking divorce proceedings against her. Accused pleaded not guilty, and was committed to the Supreme Court at Hamilton for trial. Bail was ailowed at £100, and one surety for £100. ■ .