DECREE MADE ABSOLUTE

Taranaki Central Press, Volume IV, Issue 424, 4 May 1937, Page 5

DECREE MADE ABSOLUTE

SIMPSON DIVORCE HUNDREDS AT COURT ENTRANCE St. Wolfgang Villagers Farewell Duke Press Association —Copyright. London, May 3. Mrs Simpson’s divorcs decree was made absolute in the Divorce Court to-day. Fifty seconds and less than a hundred words spoken by Sir Boyd Merriman, President of the Court, and Mr H. H. Ford, clerk cf the court, sufficed to make absolute 86 decrees nisi, including Mrs Simpson’s, which was numbered 56. Although the procedure was merely formal, hundreds queued at the Divorce Court entrance. The President’s Court was crowded when Sir Boyd Merriman took his seat on the bench beneath the rope hnd anchor, which is ths symbolic sign of the probate, divorce and admiralty division 3t the High Court. Immediately the clerk rose and, reading from the official list, said: — ‘Applications to make absolute decrees nisi in causes Nos. 1 to 78 from the principal registries.”

Sir Boyd Merriirian asked: “Does any one appear to show cause why these decrees should not be made absolute?” There was five seconds’ pause, in which the court was sil nJ. Then Sir Boyd said: "I then pronounce the decrees niti as made absolute.” A similar procedure followed for the remaining decrees from district registries. When the hearing concluded the crowd evaporated. Dec’s.on Telephoned. Wrtihin a few moments of the Court’s decision the Duke of Windsor and Mrs Simpson were informed by telephone of the decision. The Duke of Kent is expected to represent the Royal Family at the wedding. A' story of the Duke of Windsor kissing a pretty French girl on the Somma battlefield lies behind the plans for his marriage, says the correspondent of the Daily Mail at Tours. The Mayor of Monts, the nearest town to the Chateau de Cande, where Mrs Simpson is staying, is Dr. Charlee Mercier, whose wife recalls that when King George V. visited the Somme front during the war the British headquarters were situated in the village in which' she lived. Her father frequently entertained officers, and she was chosen to present a bouquet to King George, who thanked her and asked the Prince of Wales also to express thanks. The Prince shook her hand and kissed her on the cheek. Now Dr. Mercier, as the chief magistrate, will marry 'the Duke of Windsor and Mrs Simpson. Dr. Mercier confirms the statement. Wedding Date Not Fixed. The date of the wedding has not been fixed, but he has been asked to visit the chateau shortly to discuss ariungements. with Mrs Simpson and the Duke of Windsor. Madame Mercier says: “I am sure the Duke has not forgotten the Somme incident. I should love to attend the wedding.” Mrs Simpson has been golfing and looks eunburnt. The Duke is expected to be met at a secret rendezvous near Paris with a car from Jhs chatdau, in which Mrs Simpson may travel to greet him.

Villagers at St. Wolfgang crowded 50 illuminated boats and picturesquely farewelled the Duke. Singers, dancers and brass band, assembled on a Platform supported by two barges and proceeded to the villla after dusk leading a procession of watercraft, The Duke of Windsor stood on a balcony for two hours listening t< folk songs, and watching clogged performers demonstrate national dances At the conclusion he received the burgomaster, who expressed the vil k>ge s sense of the honour the Duke had done to the village by hi s visit. The simple pageant was unmarred even by Nazis, who seiz’d the opportunity to set on fire a giant wooden swastika on the hillside: