"A MOST CURIOUS CASE”

Taranaki Daily News, 14 May 1921, Page 12

"A MOST CURIOUS CASE”

MAN WITH TWO WIVES.

CLAIM FOR MAINTENANCE AT AUCKLAND.

Auckland, May 6. “It is a most curious case,” Said Mr. E. C. Cutten, S.M., when two legal gentlemen appeared before him on behalf of twoj clients who claimed maintenance from Arthur Edward Harris Cornish as. being the husband of each. Mr. Leahy appeared for the wife who was married years ago, and by consent an order was made for payment of 30s per week, with 10s for the child. Mr. Singer remarked: “He must have a good business to maintain two wives in these times.” Mr. Leahy explained that the first wife had gone to SydneyMr. Singer said his client, the second wife, was married in England, came out with the defendant, but left him when wife No. 1 appeared upon the scene.

In answer to Mr. Singer, defendant stated that he married his first wife 11 or 12 years ago, and came to New Zealand with her. On January 23rd, 1918, he married his second wife in England. He was then a chief motor mechanic in the Navy. He had not lived with his first wife for seven years. An order had been made for £2 per week, of which he had paid two instalments. He brought his second wife out last year. He fully realised his duty to maintain both women. His earnings wore £S per week. Mr. Singer: Not much that, to keep two wives.

Witness said his first wife arrived on the scene about two weeks ago. He had sent money to his second wife since the first one turned up, but she refused to take it. Mr. Cutten made an order for 20s per week maintenance in the second case.