A REMARKABLE CASE.

Temuka Leader, Issue 2325, 3 March 1892, Page 4

A REMARKABLE CASE.

Wellington, Feb. 26,

A case with some rather unusual features came before Mr Graham, R.M., in the Magistrate’s Court to-day. Mrs Amelia Johnston, apparently not more than thirty years of age, appeared in support of a summons which she had obtained calling upon Robert Sutherland, described as a station-holder at Ohanga, Castle Point, to pay £213 10s, accrued arrears on an order made in 1882 by the late Mr Hardcastle, R.M. at Wanganui. The plaintiff’s statement was that late jn the seventies she married Sutherland, who deserted her, after she had borne him two boys, in 1882. She put her case before Mr Hardcastle, R.M., and Sutherland was ordered to pay 5s per week for each child. Some time afterwards she was informed that Sutherland was dead, and in full belief that such was the case she contracted a marriage with a mail named Johnston, who has since died. A few weeks ago she learned that her first husband was still living, and thereupon she began the present proceedings. Mrs Johnston further stated prior to being informed that Sutherland was dead, she took steps to obtaiu a divorce from him. The citation was actually served, but proceedings were abandoned simply because she understood Sutherland had died, but, strange to say, while the suit was still in the initiatory state in the Supreme Court the Police Court officials were refusing tp receive moneys from Sutherland pending the decision of the petition for divorce. The defendant’s solicitor applied for an adjournment of the case in order to enable him to produce certain witnesses who might refute Mrs Johnstone .statement. The application was granted.