Before his Honour, Mr. Justice Brennan, in the Supreme Court, yesterday.
Henry Belcher, railway labourer, of Baralaba, petitioned for a dissolution of his marriage with Nellie Belcher on the grounds of desertion. Mr. H. Dever (instructed by Mr. J. Pattison) appeared for the petitioner. There was no appearance of the defendant. The petitioner stated he married, the defendant in 1895. There were eight children issue of the marriage. Everything went well until 1911, when his wife commenced drinking, which ultimately resulted in witness losing his position in the railway. Witness detailed several instances of the defendant's lapses due to drink, and her leaving the home and returning again until she eventually left in 1920 and refused to return. Witness asked for the custody of two of the youngest children. At this stage the case was adjourned till this morning.
DIVORCE ACTION. (1927, February 23). Morning Bulletin (Rockhampton, Qld. : 1878 - 1954), p. 8. Link to TROVE
ROCKHAMPTON DIVORCE APPLICATION.
ROCKHAMPTON. February 23.
In an application by Henry Belcher for a dissolution of his marriage with Nellie Belcher, Mr. Justice Brennan announced that he would grant a divorce, subject to a certain affidavit being filed.
ROCKHAMPTON DIVORCE APPLICATION. (1927, February 24). The Brisbane Courier (Qld. : 1864 - 1933), p. 7. Link to TROVE
DIVORCE ACTION.
In the Supreme Court yesterday, His Honour, Mr. Justice Brennen, granted a decree nisi in the divorce action in which Henry Belcher petitioned for a divorce from Nellie Belcher on the grounds of desertion. When the case came before His Honour in February last he intimated that he would grant a decree nisi subject to a certain affidavit as to service of the summons being filed. Mr. H. Dever, (instructed by Mr. J. Pattison), who appeared for the petitioner, intimated that the affidavit had been filed. He also called Plain-clothes Constable Salagari to give evidence that he had occasion to interview the defendant, who showed him the petition. His Honour granted a decree nisi and made it returnable within three months.
DIVORCE ACTION. (1927, March 19). Morning Bulletin (Rockhampton, Qld. : 1878 - 1954), p. 8. Link to TROVE
Look for Henry in this descendent chart
John MADDEN
THE Friends of Mr. WILLIAM MERRITT are respectfully invited to attend the FUNERAL of his late beloved Daughter, EVA, to leave his residence, Ipswich-street, Range, at 11 a.m., THIS DAY, for the Toowoomba Cemetery.
Family Notices (1912, September 3). Darling Downs Gazette (Qld. : 1881 - 1922), p. 4. Link to TROVE
TOOWOOMBA,-December 18.    
It now appears that the supposed laudanum poisoning case in the hospital was the result of an overdose of the drug accidentally taken by an old resident of the district, Mr. W. H. Merritt, who suffered from insomnia, and had been in the habit of using the drug for some years.
The Brisbane Courier    Thursday, 14 December 1893
A man named Merritt was brought into the Toowoomba Hospital this afternoon from Clifton suffering from poison from laudanum, and he died two hours after his admission. The case has been placed in the hands of the police.
The Brisbane Courier    Tuesday, 12 December 1893
TOOWOOMBA,-December 18.    
It now appears that the supposed laudanum poisoning case in the hospital was the result of an overdose of the drug accidentally taken by an old resident of the district, Mr. W. H. Merritt, who suffered from insomnia, and had been in the habit of using the drug for some years.
The Brisbane Courier    Thursday, 14 December 1893