CHARGE OF BIGAMY

Wairarapa Times-Age, 8 June 1939, Page 8

CHARGE OF BIGAMY

W. A. K. WEBB FOR SENTENCE. PLEA OF GUILTY ENTERED. Because he married Phyllis Eileen Smith at Wanganui in September 1935, and then went through a form of marriage with a second woman at Martinborough in December, 1938, Walter Albert Kenneth Webb appeared in the Masterton Magistrate’s Court this morning before Messrs E. G. Eton and J H. Irving, J’sP., on a charge of bigamy. Webb pleaded guilty and will come up for sentence at Wellington on June 15. Bail was allowed in £l5O.

/Detective-Sergeant W. Kane conducted. the case for the police and Webb was represented by Mr W. D. Goodwin. Wellington. Phyllis Eileen Webb, in evidence, said she was the lawful wife of the accused, and was married to him in September, 1935, at Wanganui. About the end of October, 1937, the accused left for Masterton to go shearing. He did not return from the trip. Witness had two children and she had found t necessary to sue Webb for maintenance. She obtained two rather small sums. To Mr Goodwin, witness admitted returning to her home at Raetihi to help her people. She also desired to live there. After she had taken proceedings, Webb wrote and asked her .o come and reside with hina. Witness refused to do this. The second woman, whose name was suppressed, said she first made Webb’s acquaintance at a Masterton boarding house in May, 1938. About three weeks after meeting accused she heard ae was a married man. Prior to hearing this, she had been keeping company with Webb. She taxed Webb about his being married and he denied it. She informed Webb of her condi.ion and in December, 1938, They were married at Martinborough. Accused gave lhe name of Walter Kendall Webb and described himself as a oachelor. Witness stated that during the period of keeping company with Webb she believed him to be a single man. Some time in February, witness, through health reasons, returned home to her mother. On May 11, 1939, her baby daughter was born. Shortly before the baby was born witness became aware that Webb was a married man. To Mr Goodwin, witness denied that the suggestion of marriage came from her. Witness told Mr Goodwin that several boarders at the boarding house told her Webb was married and asked her why she went out with him. I They never said how they knew he was married and w’hen she asked Webb tie denied it. Detective G. Hogan, Wellington, described in detail the two marriage certificates and produced the said certificates in court. In May, 1939, he interviewed the accused in Wellington and informed him of the complaint. He showed Webb the two certificates and he admitted to witness that he was the person named as bridegroom in each case. A statement made to the detective by accused was read. The detective further stated that Webb wag quite frank about the whole matter and gave every assistance in clearing the position up.