Hugh Kennedy Black v Iris Cecila Black

Hugh Black and Iris Edgar were married on 5 May 1909 in Adelaide Australia. They had a daughter, called Betty Florence, who was born in Sydney on the 24 March 1918. Later they returned to New Zealand and settled in Alexandra, before Iris moved to Christchurch.

Hugh petitioned on 28 July 1926 for restitution of his conjugal rights and the petition was granted on 19 February 1927. Iris had failed to comply with his wishes and continued to live in Christchurch, where she was born.

The Petition contains a letter from Hugh to Iris asking her to return to him in Alexandra and to be wary of the influence of her mother. She replied saying she was 'used to looking after herself and prefers it’. The letters from Iris to Hugh include a letter from Betty to her father asking him to come home for Christmas.

The divorce file also contains a photograph of Iris that would have used by the person who served the divorce papers on Iris, to identify her.

On 30 November 1927, Iris petitioned for permanent maintenance and in the Affidavit in reply to the Petition for Permanent Maintenance of 15 December 1927, Hugh states that Iris was a musician and she had always insisted on continuing her profession even though she was married. He continues that he had endeavoured to persuade her to give up her profession and to take up housekeeping but she refused and also notes that she never contributed any of her earnings to pay the household expenses.

He also states that when he came to Alexandra in 1923 she was playing the piano in the orchestra of the Grand Picture Theatre in Christchurch and was still employed there in 1927, earning £300 a year. He had maintained her until December 1924 and after that she had refused to live him. After having corresponded with her for a period, Iris had refused to give up her job with the consequence that he petitioned for a divorce.

Hugh also stated that Iris resided with her mother who was a very wealthy woman and does not need maintenance. The Court awarded Hugh to pay £1.00 a week until Betty was 18 years old.