Marriages that Failed.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XLVI, Issue 209, 7 September 1904, Page 4

Marriages that Failed.

EPISODES IN THE AUCKLAND DIVORCE COURT. (From Friday's Herald.) CABMAN'S MATRIMONIAL AFFAIRS. Thomas Torbett (represented by Mr Brookfleld) prayed for a dissolution of his marriage with Margaret Torbett, on the ground of desertion. The parties were marnied in Edinburgh in 1875, and lived together till 1898. In March of that year respondent went to Wellington, and petitioner sent her money ; but she had since on several occasions refused to return to him. She was now in Auckland.

The petitioner, a cabman. Said his wife burned the marriage certificate. He arrived in Auckland with his wifo in 1876, and had lived here ever since. He had six children, and the youngest was 16. His Honor : How old is your youngest child ?

Petitioner : Sixteen. And how old is, the next ?—Fifteen or sixteen.

Why, you don't seem to know the ages of your children. Now, tell me, are you a Scotchman ?—¥es. But ybu seem to know their names, and not their ages ?—There are four daughters and two sons. Mr Brookfield : When your wifo loft you, what happened 7 Petitioner : My wife went off to Wellington, and although I wrote to her to come back she never replied. Petitioner's son deposed he went to Wellington and tried to induce his mother to return home, but she refused.

lli' Brookfield : Where is your mother now ?

Witness : She is living next door to father, in Auckland, with my married sister.

Do they spoak ?—They never speak. You help her sometimes ?—Yes. Have you spoken to her about the divorce case ?—Yes, I told her about it, and she told me only to-night that she would not defend it. His Honor commended petitioner's children for the solicitude they displayed for tacir mother. A decree nisi was granted.

"BETWEEN THE ACTS." James John Frater, a French polisher (represented by Mr Baxter) prayed for a dissolution of marriage with his wife, Adelaide Annette Frater. Petitioner said he was married in London in May, 1872, and petitioner oame to New Zealand in 1875. lie lived happily with his wife in London for the first eleven years, when 3hc developed intemperate ha'bits. When he left London he made every effort to get his wife to come to New Zealand, but she said she was afraid of the voyage. He left her with moans, and ialso sent money Home. ' She afterwards wrote saying she would come, and he arranged for her passage out. She came to New Zealand in 1887, and they lived together for five months, when his wife went out of the house and lock a lituation at a restaurant, against his wishes. He tried for some four to five months to get his wife back from "the restaurant. He was surprised one night to see Ms wife come lout of the theatre with her employer, and they went into a hotel together between tho acts. His wife was now living with another man. His youngest child was 20 years of age, 'and was working for himself. A decree nisi was granted.

iFTEB MANY YEARS. Kati Harding Atter-bury '(represented by Mr Stewart) prayed for the dissolution of her marriage with 3eorge John' Atterbury, otherwise James Rolleston (undefended). Petitioner said she was married to •espondent in Sydney in 1873.

Mr Stewart : What was your husband when you married him ? Petitioner : He was a clerk in a soft goods house. And you went to Victoria ?—Yes. About 1880 he left you ?—Yes, and came to Auckland.

Did you give him any cause ?—No ; he got into debt, and left Victoria on account of his creditors pressing him.

Why did you not accompany him ? —We had not the money for both of us to come.

For some time you corresponded with him ?—Yes, for 12 months.

And then the correspondence ceased? -Yes.

Were you maintaining yourself ? Yos.

Was he going under his own name in Auckland ?—No ; he had an assumed name. What was that name ?—J ames Rolleston.

Why did the correspondence cease ? —I don't know, oxcept that I was informed that he was living with a woman at Ivanio. Two or three o( my last letters wore not responded to by him.

You came across to New Zealand early this year ?—Yes. You censed corresponding in 1881? -Yes. His Honor : A long time ago ; 23 years. Mr Stewart : What was he doing hero when you arrived ? Petitioner : He was the licensee of the Central Hotel, Auckland. Did you identify James Rolleston with George James Atterbury '.'—Yes he admitted it. And what next'?—He admitted that he had been living with another woman, named Mary Foy, for the past four years. John Sill, sheriff's oflicer, deposed I to serving the writ and copy of the petition upon a person whom he had always known as James Rolleston, licensee of the Central Hotel. A decree nisi was granted. Mr Stewart said as respondent was an undischarged bankrupt it was not much use costs being given against him.