Two Co-Respondents

Sun (Auckland), Volume 1, Issue 44, 14 May 1927, Page 9

Two Co-Respondents

A PORTLAND DIVORCE SETTLEMENT REACHED Tht a Maori named Hakaraia and a man named George Rook had committed adultery with his wife was alleged by Neils Peter Hjalmar Pedersen in petitioning for a dissolution of his marriage with Violet Pedersen before His Honour, Mr. Justice Herdman at the Supreme Court yesterday afternoon. Mr. L. P. Leary appeared for petitioner, Mr. A. J. Moody for the respondent, and Mr. R. Singer for G. Rook. Petitioner stated that he was married to respondent in 1917 and had lately been living at Portland, where he was employed as a carpenter at the cement works. Returning to his home unexpectedly one evening, said petitioner, he saw a man climbing out of the bedroom window. His wife, who had refused to accompany him to a party that evening, was in bed. He chased the man, whom he recognised as George Rook, for some distance and then returned to his home and ordered his wife out of the house.

When accused of misconducting herself respondent started to cry, said petitioner, and said that she did not know Rook was coming to the house.

Later he heard that a Maori named Hakaraia had visited his house during his absence. He taxed the Maori about the matter and he not only admitted having committed adultery, but also signed a statement to that effect. At the request of his wife he agreed not to join Hakaraia in the proceedings providing she did not enter a defence. When she decided to defend the case he had no option but to join the Maori. At this stage a short adjournment was taken to enable the various parties to confer.

Following the luncheon adjournment Mr. Leary stated that a settlement had been arrived at.

His Honoyr gave permission for the case to be withdrawn.