UNHAPPY MARRIAGES

Waikato Times, Volume 124, Issue 20726, 9 February 1939, Page 8

UNHAPPY MARRIAGES

MARITAL TIES SEVERED ORDER FOR RESTITUTION Two petitions for divorce and an application for the restitution of conjugal rights were heard before Mr Justice Smith in the Supreme Court, Hamilton to-day. A decree nisi, to be made absolute after three months, was granted in the case in which Norman Murray Keenan, a bacteriologist, of Hamilton (Mr J. A. Strang sought a divorce from Sybil Constance Keenan. Petitioner stated that he married respondent in December, J 935, and there were no children. A decree for the restitution of conjugal rights was served on respondent on November 3, 1938, but site intimated that she had no intention of complying with it. Petitioner hud kepi his home open but she failed to return. A similar order was granted Margaret Elizabeth Francis Wilton, of Waihi Mr E. F. Clayton-Greene). Petitioner stated that she married respondent. Jack Wilton, at Waihi, in May, 1935, but left him five or six weeks later. After the marriage she was surprised to find that respondent had not attempted to provide her with a home. While she worked as a waitress in an hotel at Waihi he purchased a motor-car, and wanted her to continue her work until he paid for the vehicle. After a discussion the parties decided to separate and respondent had not paid her anything since that date.. The story of his wife's desertion was told by Arthur Richard Alder, a labourer, of Opoiiki (Mr W. J. King), who applied for the restitution of conjugal rights with Lily Maud Alder. Petitioner stated that the parties were married in March, 1916, and of the four children two under 16 years of age were with respondent. In 1937 his wife went away for a six weeks’ holiday, but returned after 4J weeks with her father and son. She collected her belongings and left, but petitioner did not know the reason. He had asked her to return but she had refused. He genuinely wanted her back. His Honour granted a decree for the restitution of conjugal rights within 14 days of the serving of the decree.