MAID TO LADY PLUNKET.

Taranaki Daily News, 20 August 1920, Page 5

MAID TO LADY PLUNKET.

HER' UNHAPPY MARRIAGE. DIVGROE PETITION GRANTED. A brief sitting of the Supreme Court was held at New Plymouth last night, before his Honor Mr. Justice Sal'mond, to hear the undefended petition of Jane Craig (Mr. P. J. O'Dea) for a dissolution of her marriage with James Craig, on the grounds of desertion and failure to maintain. Petitioner's statement set out that the parties were married at a registry office at Kensington, London, on February 29, 1892. Petitioner lived With her husband in London until 1905, when he came out to New Zealand, petitioner following in 1007. One child was born of the marriage, in 1897. Petitioner lived with her husband in Christchurch until January, 190 S. when she alleged the respondent wilfully deserted her without just cause, and for five years and afterwards had no communication with her.

Petitioner, in evidence, stated that her husband was addicted to drinking, and at her suggestion he came out to New Zealand, she hoping that he would reform himself. Jler husband arrived in New Zealand in 11105, anil wrote repeatedly to her asking her to come out to him. He stated that he had provided a home for ber'ih Christcliurch, and she accordingly came out in 1008. On her arrival she found tilat he did not have a home for her, anil she had to go out to work in order to maintain herself. Her husband's drinking habits were, worse in New Zealand than in England. .Since Wo"> jirttil coming out to New Zealand she had not received any maintenance from her husband, and since 1908 he had not contributed a penny towards her support. Petitioner was employed its a lady's maid by Lady Pluuket at Government House until 1910, when her Excellency went Home, and prior to coining out to New Zealand had been working for lady Penrose Fitzgerald 'in Ireland. Ever since her marriage she had had to work to maintain herself and to keep the house together. She believed the respondent was in Australia. His Honor granted a decree nisi, to be made absolute in three months, with costs on the lowest scale against the iwspondtnt.