WOMAN PROPOSESJUDGE DISPOSES

Sun (Auckland), Volume I, Issue 129, 22 August 1927, Page 12

WOMAN PROPOSES—JUDGE DISPOSES

GAOL FOR BIGAMIST *‘TN dealing with the crime of bigamy, it is not so much the position of the first wife, or the second—it is the public who must be considered, and it cannot be passed over lightly.” Thus Mr. Justice Herdman in the Supreme Court this morning, when imposing sentence of three months’ imprisonment on Thomas Dawson Smith for bigamy, committed in Auckland. Mr. E. W. Inder, who appeared for the prisoner, said the case did not present any of the distressing circumstances usually found in such cases. The prisoner’s married life in England had been fairly happy to start with, but after 20 years, with his wife’s continual bickering, and requests for his departure, the prisoner came to New Zealand. He left his wife his business, which was a flourishing one. Fourteen years ago the prisoner met the present Mrs. Smith, who owned a shop, and, due to her suggestion, the prisoner had the alternative of marrying her or telling her of his first marriage. He took the risk, and was married. The iecond Mrs. Smith was quite satisfied with the position, and had stated that there was no better husband than the prisoner. He had sent his first wife money until she had come into a legacy, and refused to take any more. He was 63 years of age, and had borne a good character, and counsel asked that a fine be imposed. “A man must have one wife only,” said his Honour, fn passing sentence. “There is no doubt that the offence was committed some years ago, but the prisoner must have known he was offending against the criminal code.”