CHARGE OF BIGAMY

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIII, Issue 154, 8 October 1910, Page 2

CHARGE OF BIGAMY

AGAINST A BILLSTICKER. By Cable—Press Association—Copyright Wellington, Yesterday. William Watkins, the billposter who last Friday was convicted of having assaulted his wife by cutting her over the throat with a carving knife, wa& charged this afternoon at the Magistrate's Court, before Mr. W. G. Bidden, S.M., with having committed bigamy in marrying Eva Gibson on September 19. Another information charged Watkins with falsely stating that he was a bachelor. Chief-Deteceive Broberg prosecuted. William Tingey, a fireman on the steamer Whakaura, which is to leave Wellington to-morrow for Brisbane, saia that he knew the accused. On September 4, 1907, witness was present at the Church of England at Silvertown, a suburb of London, when accused went through a form of marriage with Mary Ann Reid, a widow, who was witness' sister. Her husband had been drowned, and her maideh name was Mary Ann Tingey. A clergyman officiated, and witness saw the ceremony performed. He was, in fact, best man, and he signed the marriage register as a witness. Accused and witness' sister lived as man and wife for a few months. They went to Cardiff, and witness' sister returnea without her husband, three or four months later, to Silvertown. Witness last saw his sister about July 24 last. She was then living at Silvertown, and wiv well. She was in the habit of vi-'r-inf witness' relatives in Silvertown. Since witness landed in New Zeaiaa.l he had received two letters from Home. T> the best of witness 5 knowledge and brlief his sister was still alive. The manage between defendant and witness' sister had never been annulled. There was never a divorce. J

To the Magistrate: Witness could not remember the name of the clergyman who officiated. There were four persons present at the marriage besides accused and witness' sister. Witness did not know their names. Chief-Detective Broberg said that he would shortly have other witnesses. The Magistrate (to accused): Have you any questions? Accused: I heard she was de.ad. I though she was dead. Chief-Detective Broberg stated thatj in the meantime he wished only to take the evidence of the above witness, and he asked for a remand till Thursday. October 13. The accused was accordingly remanded.