S.M. COURT SITTINGS.

Taihape Daily Times, Issue 220, 29 March 1917, Page 5

S.M. COURT SITTINGS.

(Before Mr. J. P. Aldridge and H. D. Bennett, J’s. P.) j ALLEGED BIGAMY. Nellie Pilcher was charged that she did on 15th April, 1915, go through the form of marriage w r ith Jo-hn Francis Kirkpatrick, her former husband being still living. J. A. Pilcher gave evidence that he knew the accused. She was his wife. He was married at Hastings about 22 years ago by the Registrar. Could not say whether the marriage certificate produced was his as he had never

previously seen it. Mr. Hussey objected to the evidence of Pilcher being taken as husband of the accused in accordance with Section 5 of the Evidence Act. The Bench noted the objection. Pilcher, continuing, said he lived with accused for about 15 years. About two years ago he was in Taihape and then saw the accused. She spe him and asked him how r he was getting on. Not being able to read be could not say the marriage certificate put in was his.

Elizabeth Warren, testified that she was the mother of the accused. She was wltnes to the marriage of her daughter with James Pilcher at Hastings on 15th August, 1891. Mr. B'raithwaite, Registrar, married them. The marriage certificate put in w-as, as far as she knew, a copy of her daughter’s marriage certificate. Her husband was the other witness to the marriage. She was not present when her daughter was married in April, 1915. Joseph Lissant Palethorpe stated that he -was Deputy-Registrar of Marriages at Wellington. He could not remember 19th April, 1915. His office records showed a notice of marriage between John Francis Kirkpatrick and Nellie Pilcher. It w r as signed by John Francis Kirkpatrick. The Register showed that on April 19 a marriage took place between the parties mentioned.

The copy of the certificate put in was a true copy of the register of the marriage. He did not recogninse the accused. Gertrude A. Bird said she was a married woman. She knew the accused. She was her step-sister. She remembered 19th April, 1915. She was witness to the marriage at the Registrar’s Office in Wellington. John Francis Kirkpatrick entered the witness box.

Mr. Hussey, for the accused, objected to the evidence. A formal notice of the objection was taken.

Witness, continuing, stated that on 19th April, 1915, at Wellington, he went through a form of marriage with the accused Nellie Pilcher.

The accused pleaded not guilty, and was committed for trial. Nominal bail was allowed.