ALLEGED BIGAMY.

Temuka Leader, Issue 1211, 31 July 1884, Page 3

ALLEGED BIGAMY.

A choice morsel of social scandal has attracted considerable attention here lately (says an Auckland contemporary), and has been widely and fully discus«ed by local gossips. The facts appear to be well known, and in substance amount to a very serious accusation of bigamy against an Auckland publican, the victimised second wife being a young lady who passed her earlier years in Auckland, and whose relatives reside here. From the story which has been related to us, it appears that the alleged offender came here from Australia several years ago. He took an hotel in our leading thoroughfare, and by the display of genial qualities became quite a popular boniface. Meeting the lady to whom we have referred, he became enamoured of her, and duly proposed for her He admitted that he had been previously married, but it is asserted that he produced a newspaper obituary notice of his first wife's death, and also a letter from the priest who had married him, comfirming the assertion. These proofs appeared satisfactory enough, and the couple were married in Auckland. They have lived here since then, and two children hare been born to them. It appears that some time ago they went on a trip to Melbourne, and it is alleged that whilst there the husband was ac coated in the street by a woman who claimed to ba his wife. Matters became complicated, the second wife leaving her assumed spouse and returning here alone. The husband followed her, ami most emphatically denied the impeachment that he possessed any other wife alive. She, however, refused to 'ive with him until most conclusive proof of the truth of his statement was produced. Retaining the charge of the children, she toek up her residence elsewhere, and in the meantime her brother proceeded to Melbourne to investigate the suspicious affair. He saw the copy of the obituary notice,"! which was published in the newspaper there, r.nd said it bore the signature of the raucb-married man's brother. The priest was interviewed, and declared that he knew nothing concerning the woman's death. It is futher asserted that the woman, is still alive and well in Melbourne, and intends to seek up her absent lord. The whole affair is of a most unfortunate character. Steps are being taken now which vill result in the whole affeir , being brought before a Court of law. In the meantime we rofrain from publishing the names of the parties and other particulars which are in our possession.