- Cairns Post, Tuesday 28 October 1913, page 4
http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article39948996
DIVORCE ACTION.
TOWNSVILLE, October 17.
At the Supreme Court to-day, before Acting Justice Jameson, an action was heard in which Robert James McLean, of Winton, petitioned for the dissolution of his marriage with Bridget Mary McLean, on the grounds of adultery. Henry Parker being joined as co-defendant. A decree nisi was granted, returnable in three months.
Northern Supreme Court.
Townsville Daily Bulletin, Tuesday 28 October 1913, page 3
http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article60385487
DIVORCE PETITION.
At the Supreme Court on Tuesday, before Mr Acting Justice Jameson, an action was heard in which Robert James McLean, of Winton, petitioned for a dissolution of his marriage with Bridget Mary McLean, on the grounds of adultery. Henry Parker being named as co-defendant. Mr McWhinney (Messrs Hubbs, Wilson and Co.) appeared for the plaintiff. There was no appearance on behalf of the defendant and co-defendant.
Robert James McLean (the plaintiff) stated that he resided at Winton. He was married on 22nd December 1908, at St. Andrew's Church, Longreach, by the Rev. Arthur Took Robinson. He lived in and around Longreach until 1910, when he went to Winton, and lived together with his wife until October 11, 1912. On that day his wife left him. She said she preferred someone else. His wife went to Hughenden, and witness went to board at the Royal Mall Hotel, Winton. His wife came back again on the following Friday, and on the following Saturday witness saw her at the Club Hotel. He asked the licensee to endeavor to persuade his wife to return to him. In consequence of something he heard he kept a watch upon her room at the Club Hotel, and on 29th January, between 8 and 9 o'clock at night he saw Harry Parker come round to the room and knock. He then went in. Witness then went round to Jim Cavanagh, the licensee, who was in the bar. They then went round to her room, and Cavanagh called out several times. Witness's wife answered and came to the door. She said, 'Is that you Bob? Do you want to see me?' Witness replied "'Yes, and the chap that is in the room with you." His wife said "You can't come in here." Witness replied "I must," and then stepped inside and struck a match as the room was in darkness. He saw Harry Parker in a half-sitting position on the bed. Witness asked his wife what she meant by behaving in that manner. She said she could have who she liked in her room. Witness said it would suit her better to come home and look after the children, she replied she had come with him. He then left the room, and in consequence of this he commenced the proeedings. On 17th March witness served a writ and petition on his wife and Henry Parker at Mt. Campbell station. Witness saw the manager and asked for a couple employed on the station going by the name of Mr and Mrs Parker. The man ager then called them out, and witness served the document. He said to his wife, "Well, it has come to this, and it is time you and I parted. She replied, 'Thank you; I wish you luck, and I hope you get it." The handwriting in letters (produced) was that of his wife. There was no collusion or connivance between witness and his wife with regard to these proceedings.
James Arthur Cavanagh, licensee of the Club Hotel, at Winton, said he knew all the parties to the action. In October. 1912, the defendant (Mrs McLean) entered late his employ as cook. On 29th January witness went to her room with the plaintiff (McLean) between 8 and 9 o'clock at night. Witness asked her to open the door. She refused two or three times, but eventually she did so. She then saw her husband and said 'Do you want to see me. Bob?' McLean attempted to go into the room, and she refused to let him in. He got in, however, and struck a match. Witness followed McLean and saw Parker lying on the bed. From that time he saw Parker on several occasions going into her room. Witness kept her on as cook for a time, as he could not get anyone else in her place. Mrs McLean's room was away from the main building.
Emily Jane Wilder, wife of Herbert Christian Wilder, said in November last year she was in Winton at the Club Hotel as housemaid. Her room was next to Mrs McLean's. The rooms were not fully partitioned off. About the middle of December she went into Mrs McLean's room about 6.30 in the morning for some hairpins, and saw Parker under the bedclothes in Mrs McLean's bed. After that witness was aware that Parker was there on other occasions as she could hear conversations over the low partitions. Witness sometimes conversed over the wall with Mrs McLean, and occasionally Parker would join in the conversation. This went on till February of this year. Michael Goulding, manager of Mr. Campbell's station, near Winton, stated that he knew the parties to the action. Witness engaged Parker in February as a horse-breaker, and about a week later Parker brought out a woman who he said was his wife, but who he since learned was Mrs McLean. They lived on the station as man and wife until March. McLean came out and served them with some writs. Witness was present at the time, and McLean told defendant and co-defendant what the documents were. On that day, Parker and Mrs McLean went away.
Joseph McWhinney, solicitor, gave formal evidence of having served notice of the action on the Attorney-General, and also with serving the defendant and co-defendant with notice of trial of the action. Mr McWhinney asked for dissolution of the marriage, with costs against both defendant and co-defendant. Restated that when they took out execution against a co-defendant for any property he usually said it belonged to defendant.
His Honor said he did not think it was usual to give costs against the defendant.
Mr McWhinney said it really did not matter in this case, as there was unlikely to be any property.
His Honor granted the decree nisi, returnable in three months, with costs against the co-defendant.
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| Children |
| | 1. Robert Joseph Patrick MCLEAN, b. 16 May 1909, Longreach, Queensland, Australia  , d. 25 Jan 1977, Queensland, Australia (Age 67 years) |
| + | 2. John George MCLEAN, b. 03 Jun 1911, Winton, Queensland, Australia , d. 08 Mar 1976, Wollongong, New South Wales, Australia (Age 64 years) |
|
1886 - 1980 (93 years)
: Address
: Location
: City/Town
: County/Shire
: State/Province
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