Individual Details

Divorce

At the Divorce Court.. on Thursday (say's the ; N.Z Times), the petition of Sarah Jane Webb for a dissolution of her marriage with William George Webb, her husband, came before his Honor the Chief Justice. The petitioner deposed that she had been married on the 14th January, 1873, by the Rev. Mr Watkins, at the Church of. England, Greymouth. Her husband was cook, and they resided together up to 1879, when he left her to seek for work. They corresponded for some time afterwards, but for three years and a half she had not heard from him. She came to Wellington, and accidentally learnt from Mr Bates, storekeeper, that the respondent was at Otaki. She had been cook at McGaffney's Hotel, Reefton, for about two years, and in receipt of £2 per week. Before coming to Wellington she sent respondent money twice. Mr Shaw, who appeared for the petitioner, called the husband as a witness. He stated that he had been in the Wellington Hospital for some time; that he afterwards, went to Wainuiamata, where he remained for 18 months; that he was at Waverley for 11 months, and during that period had had improper intercourse with a servant at the Commercial Hotel, witness being employed as cook; that he came back to Wellington, and was at present employed as cook at Otaki. His wife had sent him a letter, asking him to take proceedings for a divorce, and she would not deny any imputations he might make against her. He had sent a letter directed to the care of her mother, Mrs Lyons, residing at East Waimea, Nelson, requesting his wife to come and live with him, as he had saved money, but received no answer. The petitioner denied these statements, though she admitted having stated in one letter that it would be better to get a divorce, if they could no longer live together. At this stage the case was adjourned till the 8th of October.
Manawatu Standard, Volume X, Issue 1453, 12 September 1885