Constance Melina Hagan

A CHARGE OF BIGAMY. ln the Supreme Court at Wellington on Saturday last, Constance M. Spargo, a middle-aged woman, having a-baby-in-arms, was arraigned on a charge of having on the 2nd January, 1891, contracted a "bigamous marriage with Charles Smith, of Blenheim, her former husband, John Spargo; being then alive. Mr Coates appeared on behalf of the accused, who pleaded Not Guilty. William Robson was chosen foreman of the jury. James Walker, carpenter, of Masterton, deposed that he was a witness to the marriage of the accused with John Spargo at the office of the Registrar at Masterton on the 4th August, 1873. The parties lived together at Masterton for some three or four years after this marriage. William Smith, sailor, deposed that he landed in the colony in August, I888 and went to live with his brother Charles at Blenheim. The accused was living with his brother, and witness assumed that she was married to him. Some time afterwards she told him that she was not married, and that her husband was alive. Witness and his wife were present at the marriage of the accused with Charles Smith in January 1891. By Mr Goates- Witness knew nothing about John Spargo. Elizabeth Ann Smith, wife of the last witness, said that she was also present at the marriage, and lived for some time in the same house with Charles Smith and accused. She did not remember accused saying anything about a former husband, but recollected her saying that she bad received a letter from Home. Witness did not see the letter, and knew nothing respecting its contents. She did not see the accused write anything, nor did she know what became of the letter. Henry James Spargo, son of John Spargo, said he was nearly five years old when his mother left home. He heard from her again about three years ago, but destroyed the letters. One of them said it was time for his father to give over being spiteful. Witness used to correspond with a younger brother, addressing the letters care of Mrs C. M. Smith, Blenheim. For the defence. Charles Smith, of Belgrove, Nelson, deposed that he was married to the accused on 2nd January 1891. He had previously lived with her about ten years. To his knowledge she had never said anything respecting a former marriage. By Mr Gully: He knew that she had lived with a man named Spargo, but did not know that she was married to him. She brought two children when she first came to live with witness, and the youngest, Willie, remained with her, the other, who appeared to-day as a witness, going back to his father. He was not aware that the boys corresponded. Accused had never spoken about Spargo, except to say that she thought he must be dead. Constance Melina Spargo, the accused, swore that she was married to John Spargo in 1873, and lived with him for about eight years. She obtained a protective order against him, and they parted. She heard from him a few months afterwards, but not since. She had unsuccessfully endeavoured to find Spargo. She wrote a letter to him, but got no answer. - By Mr Gully - She made the enquiries a month or so before she was remarried but the letter came back to her through the Dead Letter Office. That was the only effort she made to find Spargo. She was aware that her two sons corresponded but she did not read any of the letters. She also knew, that the oldest boy had left Kuripuni and gone to live at Pahiatua, but she could not explain how she came by the knowledge. This closed the evidence. The jury after an hour's deliberation, found the accused Not Guilty. She was accordingly discharged. Source: Marlborough Express (14 June 1892, p. 3).

TELEGRAPHIC. WELLINGTON. September 7. At Carterton to-day Charles Smith was sentenced to six months' hard labour for assaulting John Spargo, resisting the police, and using obscene language. Source: Wanganui Herald (8 September 1882, p. 2).