DIVORCE COURT.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXVIX, Issue 8140, 18 May 1906, Page 5

DIVORCE COURT.

At the sitting of fcbe Wellington ' Divoroe Coarr, yesterday, before Mr Justice. Cooper, Leonard Cpmpton applied for a di'asolutiou of his marriage with -Eliza Corppton, Percy J. Lewis ' being joined as norespondent. Mr A. R. Atkinson, instructed by Mr P. L. Hollinge, of Masterton appeared for the

petitioner. The other parties to I the suit were not represented by oounsel. Mr W. Watson was foreman of the jury. In opening the case, Mr Atkinson said the parties were married about nine years ago, and lived happily together for several years. Only- one was born, about May of last year. For about two years up to February last Lewis had been living with tHe Comntons and working on the farm, and Mrs Oompton admitted that Lewis was the father of the child. She had einoe gone to live with Lewis. Counsel added that Mr Compton had sold his farm, giving his wife £2OO tc be held in trust for the child, and he sued the iau-respon-dent for damages for that amount. Evldenao bearing out. counsel's opening statements was given. In summing up, on the question of, damages, his Honour said it seemed to Nbe an extraordinary case. The co-respondent had lived in the bouse a considerable time after the wife's admission. One would have thought the petitioner would have t turned the man out at once if he had had any regard for his honour Further, he had given his wife £200,' knowing tkiat bis wife was going away and that Lewis was leaving about the same time. Under the circumstances Jit was for the jury to say what the damages should be. The jury, after a brief retirement, found that respondent had committed adultery with ■ the co-re-spondent, and found damages £SO. Ills Honour, therefore, granted a decree nisi, to be moved absolute in three * months, the damages to be paid to the petitioner. Costs were fixed at £25 against the co-respond-ent.—Evening Post.

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