A "FRIEND" OF THE FAMILY.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XLVII, Issue 7825, 18 May 1905, Page 2

A "FRIEND" OF THE FAMILY.

IN THE DIVORCE COl'iiT. (for Tress Association.) WELLINGTON, May 17. Tlie Chief Justice and a jury ot twclvo to-day heard the divorca suit of Knopp v. Knopp and Bailey, in which Goovgc Knopp, formerly of Hokitika and Westport, a travelling jeweller, sought dissolution of his marriage with Phoebe Knopp, on the ground of her adultery with J as. Bailey, a retired baker at Westport. Petitioner alleged ihat liuiley, who over seventy years of ago. had misconducted himself with respondent. and he asked for £5Ol damages.

Co-respondent denied Dint thcra had been any udultery, and alleged that petitioner and respondent were acting in collusion.

I'ot'tioncT suid co-resj)ondent owned the house in which ho (witness) lived with his wife and children. W'iluess was frequently away from homo, and his wife became afraid to sta» in the house fit night. She wanted him to ask Builey to stay there, and he did so. Later ou, when hj« returned from one of his trips, lie noticed that his wife's manner towards biro tad changed. An altercnlion took place at tabic, and his daughter, who was thon about 18 years of age, stated that ltailey, who was prosent at the tiible. had taken his place as her mother's husband. Until ln> heard that remark lie had no suspicion of co-respomleni, and had always regarded him ns a friend. Subsequently ho watched his wife and the co-respondent, and found them together under compromising circumstances.- On one occasion he assaulted Bailey. Esther Knopp, aged nineteen years., and Alexander Knopp, daughter and son of the parties, who live with their mother, gave evidence us to the misconduct of the respondent and co-respondent. i

I Co-respondent gave evidence thut thcro hud nevoy any misconduct between him ami Mm Knopp. He admitted having occupied fhe same bedroom wilh her oa a tiip to Blenheim.

I The jury found I hut there hud been misconduct liy both respondent an|d co-rcspundoftt. thoit iherii had been collusion bclwwn petitioner uml respondent. a lid that iK'lilioiiet was net er.li'led 10 damages. Hli Homnir resumed consideration of the findings.