A FAITHLESS WIFE.

Taranaki Daily News, 21 November 1916, Page 6

A FAITHLESS WIFE.

HUSBAND PROMOTED ON THE FIELI FINDS BIS HOME VIOLATED. V Auckland, Friday. A petition for divorce was heard before Mr. Justice Hosking on Thursday, in which the petitioner, for whom Mr. R. A. Singer appeared, was a returned soldier, who left'with the Main Expeditionary Force, was promoted on the field at; Gallipoli, and returned to New Zealand wounded three months ago, after fighting for the Empire for nearly two to find a faithless wife and to learn that the violator of his home was another soldier just about to leave for tin: war. The name of the unfaithful wite is Annie Rosaline King, and that of the co-respondent John Bannister, a soldier of the Eighteenth Reinforcements. Mr. F. J. Stilling, solicitor for the respondent, informed the Court that his client, who had filed a defence, had decided to withdraw it, as the result of being made acquainted with the fact that the co-respondent had signed a writ ton admission of misconduct with her. r ihc petitioner, Arthur James King, who is a stalf-sergeant-major in the New Zealand Farces at Trentham Camp, stated that he married his wife on September 12, 100S, at Auckland. They resided in Auckland all their married life, and lived happily together until 1914, wlier. he went into camp, and in October of that year left with the Main Expeditionary Force for Egypt. Witness was away from New Zealand till August 7, 191G and in the interval was promoted on the field to the rank of lieutenant, and was wounded at Gallipoli. While away be allowed his wife a liberal amount to keep the house and their two young children, besides which he used to send her extra money at intervals. On returning to New Zealand, three months ago, he found that his wife's attitude had changed, and she refused to have anything to do with him, although he knew no reason for such au attitude. On September 6 last he took up his present position as a staff-sergeant-major at Trentham Camp, but before he left his

wife dropped a remark which caused him to consult Brooks' detective agency. The result was that within a week of reaching Wellins'to'i lie was summoned back to Auckland by the agency. On arrival, he accompanied the detective to the entrance of the King's Theatre, from which he saw his wife em?rge on the anr of another man in military uniform. Lster he proceeded to the Western Park with the detective, and saw the pair come out of the park gates. He approached .them, and after some questioning accused his* wife of misconduct with the man. She did not answer, and he thereupon detained the man, secured his identity, and next day called upon him at his viotel, vhere he admitted misconduct with witness's wife, and seemed to be thoroughly ashamed of himself. Petitioner then went home, informed his wife of her paramour's admission, and took away the children, whom he placed with people who would give them proper care and attention. Herbert M. Brooks, of Brooks' private detective agency, gave evidence as to the circumstances leading up to the misconduct of respondent with the corespondent, and as to witnessing the written admission of the co-respondent. His Honor granted a decree nisi to be made absolute in three months, and awarded petitioner £2O costs and disbursements against the co-respondent. Petitioner stated that he had provided his wife with means up to the present, and that he understood she was now liv ing with friends. The Judge remarked that if in future the respondent was in need of assistance it was to the co-re-spondent she must look for it. not to petitioner.