MARION'S MISSING MATE.
An Old Country Couple.
Thirteen Thousand Miles for a Divorce.
Marion Harris, a middle-aged woman, came all the way from the Old Country to Dour Dismal Dunedin, to get rid of her husband, Charles William Harris, who has been living m a state of sin, as the parsons would say, with another woman for six years, and has two children by her. Charles cleared out with the other woman in 1902 from King Ned's delectable capital after sending his loving wife down to Devonshire for a holiday, and, having had a good time in the quiet and religious city of Paris, he peregrinated to the fast and furious city of Dunedin with his partner-in-sin. Marion did not hear of Charles till lately, but when she did, she "sailed over the sea" and found Charlie running an establishment in Dunedin with the "other woman." The horrified wife felt that Charlie and she could never again "be anything to one another," and asked Lawyer Moore to put on his wig and gown and ask Mr Justice Williams to open the parsonical padlock.
Both Marion and Charles wept the bitter tear "same" during the unfolding at the latter's infidelities. Lawyer Finch appeared for Charlie in the matter of alimony.
Marion Harris said she married Charles on August 21, 1879, at Islington, in the Old Country. They afterwards lived 11 years at Holloway, and 12 years at Putney. They were always happy, and he was good and kind. She had no reason to
SUSPECT HIM OF MISCONDUCT In March, 1902, he saw her off at Waterloo-station for a holiday. He had taken rooms for them in Devonshire. The next she heard of him was a letter received through her niece from Charles, who was in Paris, enclosing £100 and saying she would never see him again. She had no idea where he had gone, or she would have followed him. She had received no support from him since except the £100 and the proceeds of the sale of their furniture at Woodstock.
Archibald Coupar, skin-buyer for J. Sullivan, of Dunedin, said he had known Charles William for six years, during which time Charles had been a
RESIDENT OF DUNEDIN. He had visited Charles frequently. He had been introduced by Charles to his wife, but the last witness was not the lady he was introduced to. He was also introduced to the children, of whom there were two, and the lady who was introduced to him was the mother. Witness had no idea until a lew days ago that the lady was not Charles's legitimate partner.
Mr Moore submitted that he had sufficient evidence with the letters to secure a divorce.
His Honor: You can't rely on the desertion. You will have to prove the adultery. The desertion took place in England. However, as Mr Harris has been resident in Dunedin for six years, he may be said to have "acquired a domicile."
His Honor re-called witness Coupar, who said that Charles lived, m the Queen's Drive. Marion was also re-called, and said she had only
BEEN IN NEW ZEALAND seven weeks. It was only recently that she had heard of Charles being in Dunedin, and she came out with friends. She had called on the other woman at Charlie's house and had a commonplace talk with her. She had not seen Charles until she saw him in Court. (Charles was occupying a seat in front of the dock.)
His Honor granted the usual decree.
The question of alimony was next taken.
Marion said she had been living on the proceeds of the sale of furniture, and with Charles's mother since 1902. She was too old to support herself. Charles, the respondent, said the only property he had was the little furniture he had. Its value would be from £150 to £200. He earned £3 per week. He had
NO MONEY COMING to him. Lawyer Moore and Lawyer Finch then had sundry arguments as to what alimony Charles would have to pay. His Honor said the rule was to allow one fifth of joint income of the parties as alimony. He thought he would follow this rule, and allow 12s per week from the time of the commencement of the proceedings, £3 3s costs would be allowed against respondent, with disbursements. -NZ Truth, 20/11/1909.
DEATHS.
HARRIS. — On February 22. 1914, at Dunedin, Charles William, the beloved husband cf Alice Maude Harris, of 88 Queen's Drive, Musselburgh, and son of the late James Harris, produce merchant, of the City of London/ aged 55 years. Private interment. Home papers please copy. — Cole and Springer, undertakers. -Evening Star, 23/2/1914.
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