ALLEGED ADULTERY.

Taihape Daily Times, Volume XI, Issue 3345, 25 November 1919, Page 5

ALLEGED ADULTERY.

DEFENDED BIVORCE CASE. - PROCEEDINGS BY RETURNED _ SOLDIER. ' . CLAIM FOR £IOOO DAMAGES. _ At the Wanganui Supreme Court yesterday before ‘Justice Sir Basset Edwards and a. jury, Vincent Norman Bandolf, of Utiku, sought a dissoluttion of his marriage with Ellen Randolf, alleging adultery with Joseph Arthur Casey, farmer, Ohutu. Petitioner also claimed £IOOO dainages from co-respondent. - Mr W. J. Treadwell appeared for the petitioner, and Mr T. B. Slipper appeared for the co-respondent. Mr Treadwell said respondent had not‘filed_an answer, ‘but co-1-espondent had done so, and denied the charge of adultery. It was an unfortunate case, and one out of many, -he was afraid, that had arisen out of the recent war. Vincent Norman Randolf, Utiku, said he was employed by his father, who kept a store there. In December, 1915, witness was married at Taihape. his wife’s maiden name bing O'Connor. They visited VVanganui and Hawera and then went back to Utiku. Finally, they made their home at his wife’s father’s place at Ohutu. Shortly after being married, witness went into camp, and returned on New‘Yean_’s leave for three days. He left with the Ninth Reinforcements in January, 1916, and served with the A.S.C. in France. He had known his wife twelve years ‘before he -married» her. They had’ both lived in the Utiku district. Wi'tn_e.ss returned to New Zealand on August 21st of the present year. He went straight to Utiku, and met his wife on the station there. After three weeks there seemed something wrong, and he spoke to -her. She said she was going to have a child about February. Witness said: “It is no good to me,” and went to his fa'th'er’s place. Witness asked her who it was, and she replied: “A man named McCarthy.” Witness made inquiries, but could find no trace of a man named McCarthy. Later his wife wrote the following letter: _

Dear Vin,--I am writing to tell yo . Casey is the father of my child, and not McCa_rthybas I previous told you. I would have told you this before only I feared the consequences. I trust you will try to forgive men for not telling you the truth before.——Yours affectionately, Ellen Randolf. Proceeding, witness said Casey had a farm of 90 acres, and was if married man with about five children. He was not in the district when witness left for thewar. Witnf-‘ss used to drive the mail cart. About September 18th last witness’ saw Casey at the l:itter’s gite. Casey said he had scme very painful business to talk «Ib.;uAt7 and wanted to square ‘the mat_.t.el' 111$. He said he had been talking to witnss’s wife. Casey offered to pay for Mrs Randolf’s confinement and put the child in a home. Witness mid Casey to go and see his solieitor. Witness and his wife had always been on good terms. They had one chi‘.-'l~ girl——born in June of 1916. When witness came ‘back his wife was secretary of the Social Club to raise funds for the hall. She had been :1 good wife and was held in respect by the people of Utiku. ‘-‘ Mr Slipper: Your first child was born about six months after you were mal'l'ied?-——YeS, that is "so. How long were you engaged‘?—Wo were engaged several times, the last time about six months. And you knew her conditin when you married her?—Yes. '

3 What. arrangements did you make Ito provide for the child?——She was living with her father and was getting an allotment of 3/ a day. Did you think that was reasonable? §—l thought it was sufficient as she could go to my father.- ? Did she ever ask for anything above the allotmenti’——No. When she spoke of McCarthy did she tell you where he was?——She said’ he stayed at the lboardvinghouse. V Did she tell you his Christian name or occupation?—No. Did she describe him in any way - * No.‘ You believed she wa.s telling the truth?—~Yes until I made inquiries. Did you tell anybody beforeryou returned to New Zealand that when you did return you would take proceedings about your wife?—No. . Who suggested you should proceed for _.-£l-000 damages?—lt was my own 3 suggestion. E After you discovered the lapse, did “you go to church with her?—Yes: 3 And Walked arm in arm along the ‘ road?—-No. . ma you live with her artem.-ms ;for seven weeks?——No. E Arnold L. Arrowsniith, solicitor, Taihape, said on September 24 last Lcasey came to witness and said he wanted to speak about a painful mat‘ter as he had a sick wife and several lchildren, and wanted to know if fire ‘iiiattef coul<f"‘b’e. illl§hed up, He said Ran.flc‘lf]was ingreigable. iiwitness SZ‘_i(l

he had instructions’ to take proceed-v ings for a divorce. As Randolf was in town witnesssent for him. Casey said he was willing to do anything in. reason to keep his nz‘-.x::e out of the proceedings. Witness replied that he did not See any way of.his keeping his nam out. Casey admitted certain relations with respondent. Casey told Randolf his (Casey's) wife was ill_, and he did not know how it would affect her. Witness told Casey he was asking Randolf to tie himself up to a WOl man so Casey’s wife woffld not be upset. - . The case was continued this morning at 10 o’clock.—Chronicle.