The Amy Bock Case. (Press, 18 June 1909)

On 17 June 1909, in the Divorce Court in Dunedin, a significant case unfolded when Agnee Ottoway sought an annulment of her marriage to Amy Bock. The application, presented by lawyer Mr Solomon, outlined that the marriage had been conducted under false pretenses, as Bock had presented herself as a man during the ceremony. Soon after the marriage, Ottoway discovered the deception, which left her in a deeply humiliating situation. Mr Solomon informed the court of the necessity of the annulment proceedings, despite the fact that Ottoway could technically remarry without the annulment. His Honour, Mr Justice Williams, acknowledged that while it may not be strictly required, pursuing a formal declaration was indeed desirable. He referred to a similar case from roughly eight years prior, involving a marriage between two women, which had also drawn significant attention. In that case, the parties had lived together for several years before seeking an annulment. Justice Williams then affirmed that the marriage had been solemnised between Ottoway and someone who posed as a man, named Percival Carl Redwood. He recognised the importance of granting the decree of annulment since the marriage was improperly established. Following the presentation of evidence by Ottoway, Chief Detective Herbert, and Agnes Simnson, a gaol matron, the court ultimately granted the annulment, putting an end to the marriage that had been contracted under misleading circumstances.

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