AUGUSTA – There were 787 divorces decreed in this state during the past year, which was one divorce to every 12 marriages solemnized, according to the annual report today of Dr. A. G. Young, registrar of vital statistics. The wife was the libeliant in 592 cases.

Three divorces were granted before the marriage life had lasted six months; 44 before one year’s marriage; 209 after from one to five years; 209 after from five to ten years; 223 from after ten to 20 years; 66 after from 20 to 30 years; 26 after more than 30 years; and in seven cases the number of years married was not stated.

50 years ago, 1958

• The Post Office Department held out Tuesday the prospect of new post offices for 356 cities – if Congress votes a 5-cent rate for out-of-town letters. The Post Office Department said New England Cities in line for new post offices if the 5-cent rate is approved include Auburn, Augusta, Bangor, Skowhegan, Waldoboro and Wiscasset in Maine.

• The Twin Cities were the victims of a sub-freezing cold snap last night following another day of cloudy and cool weather. Temperatures dropped to 30 degrees by 9 p.m. yesterday, and northwesterly winds ranging up to 18 miles an hour whipped through the cities. At midnight last night the mercury was down to 28 degrees.

25 years ago, 1983

• Gov. Joseph E. Brennan, receiving national recognition for his administration’s river-protection policy, challenged the federal government Friday night to use Maine’s initiatives as the model for managing the use of rivers nationwide.

• The Lewiston Police Department concluded a remarkable 1982 in recovering slightly more than 50 percent of stolen property. Just how well the local force did is indicated by the fact the recovery rate is well above the 33.4 percent figure for the previous year and the national average of 24.8 percent.

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