CHURCH CAME FIRST

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 338, 25 April 1928, Page 13

CHURCH CAME FIRST

HUSBAND ACCUSES WIFE OF NEGLECT PETITION FOR DIVORCE “She paid more attention to religion than she did to domestic affairs, and generally neglected the house and myself,” said William George Bright in the Supreme Court to-day when he sued for a divorce from Maria Catherine Bright. The petitioner, who was represented by Mr. H. P. Richmond arid Me. Chalmers, brought the suit on the grounds of separation, and the respondent (Mr. J. J. Sullivan) coun-ter-petitioned on the ground that there had been no agreement to separate, and if.'.there had, it because of the petitioner’s wrongful conduct. The case, said Mr. Richmond, was founded on allegations of mutual separation. The two were Catholics, and were married on May 30, 1899, and; lived at Westport and Auckland. There had been seven children, one of whom was dead. ♦An agreement was drawn up by Mr. Sullivan, but it was never signed. From that date they Had not lived together. WOULD PREFER GAOL “The position became such, that if I had to go to gaol or live with my wife, I would prefer gaol,” said Bright in evidence. To Mr. Sullivan: Virtually my wife drove me cut of the home. While at Westport In 1915 it was costing him £lO a week .to keep up the house. Asked what he was worth when he left for Auckland, witness said “£16,000.” He denied that he left' Westport because of talk about his conduct with other women. Witness admitted that he wrote to the Gas Company instructing it that no gas was to bo supplied to his wife under his name. He had put up with her “dirty German Catholic style long enough, he said. Re-examined, witness said he would admit that there had been impropriety between himself and his housekeeper, a Mrs. “H,” but that was alter the separation. (Proceeding.)