EX-M.P.'S DIVORCE.

Taranaki Daily News, 2 June 1920, Page 5

EX-M.P.'S DIVORCE.

A TARANAKI CASE. CHARGES OF MISCONDUCT. NO DEFENCE OFFERED. (By Telegraph.—Special to News.) Wanganui, Last Night... Letters of an incriminating nature were Hie chief evidence in a divorce case heard before the Chief Justice (Sir Robert Stout) at the Supreme Court today, when Margaret Pearce sought a dissolution of her marriage with tieorge Vater Pearce, formerly M.P. for- Patea, on the ground of adultery. _ Mir. Myers appeared for the petitioner, and Mr. Treadwell for the respondent. Mr. Myers eaid that charges of misconduct were alleged against respondent, who was a wealthy man and formerly a member of Parliament. He was worth up to £-250,000 in 1017. Consequent upon respondent's misconduct petitioner secured a separation, Mrs. Pearce getting custody of the youngest daughtel* and receiving £IO,OOO in a lump sum. Certain provision was made for the other children. Subsequent to this respondent was Buspected of misconduct, and petitioner's son discovered certain letters. It would be shown .that a certain young woman visited respondent's place at week-ends, and had opportunities to go out with him. It would be -shown 'also that this young woman subsequently became in a certain condition, and being unable to face her people had gone to Sydney- Mrs. Pearce had taken steps to get certain information, and the speaker would produce the capy of an entry of a birth at Sydney. On petitioner being called, she state:!, she was married to respondent in 181)3, and' lived at Kakaramea until 1!)17, in which year she obtained a separation. There were three children of the. marriage. She now resided in "Witngftmii. Last year she had reason to suspect Unit respondent had misconducted himself with a Patea girl,' Cedric V. Pearce, son of petitioner, said he was awav at the war wheif hi?, parents separated'. On returning from the front he lived at his father's house at Kakaramea- He knew a certain young woman at Patea. She was about years of age, .and used to come pretty* often to the house at week-ends, being invited by witness' sister at respondent's request, (in occasions this pewon and respondent went out together. In November last witness accidentally, found a number of letters' in lii's father's room while looking for a press for a tennis racquet. At this stage Mr. Myers produced tho letters, and read varioir. extracts. ''One," he said, 'is signed 'Vera,' and concludes: 'With all my fondest love and kisses.' ' Three are signed with the letter 'E.' "One advises him not to stand for 1 Parliament, as he would not have any chance. This letter continues: 'We arc the talk of the country side. If you could get ■ to marry me it would be a way out, although I have 110 love for him.'" Continuing, Mr. Myers said that another of the "E." letteiii stated: "I am miserable and lonely, and all I can think of is my trouble, but I suppose all you think of is the election. Don't tell anybody. Sleep is the only thing to make me forget myself. Good-night, dear love." John G. Dunn, solicitor, Patea, identified the handwriting as that of the young woman in question. Mr. Myers handed in documentary evidence of a birth registered at Sydney in January, 1020. No evidence was tendered on respond-' cut's behalf. A decree nisi was granted, with costs on -the highest-scale.