WIFE'S ALLEGATIONS.

CHARGE OF GAMBLING.

AN UNHAPPY HOME.

POLICE TO INQUIRE.

A story of marital unhappiness at Oneliunga, unfolded in the Magistrate's Court yesterday afternoon, presented features of so unusual a character that the presiding magistrate, Mr. C. C- Kettle, S.M., expressed his intention of having strict inquiries made by the police as to certain alleged happenings at Onehunga. The case was one in which John Thomas Jebb applied for the cancellation of a maintenance order, requiring liim to pay 15s per week for the maintenance of his two children. Violet Harriett Jebb, applicant's wife, appeared to oppose the application.

Jebb contended that he should not be compelled to pay the money because his wife was living with somebody else.

Mrs. Jebb said she was earning her own living. She had worked 12 months in a laundry. In a statement to the Bench she accused her husband of having been a heavy gambler. Applicant said he had not been in constant employment. He denied the statements made by his wife. His earnings did not average more than £1 per week. A Wife's Statement. Mr. Kettle : According to your own account you are an angel. I suppose it is no use my suggesting that you should set up a home. Applicant: No, never ! Mrs. Jebb : It's me that says " never" Your Worship. It's me that has to suffer. He has been carrying on a gambling den, at Onehunga for more than four years—■ ever since I have known him. He has always been gambling. At Mr. Kettle's request Mrs. Jebb save the names of several Onehunga residents who, she said, had visited the place. " Quite Interesting." His Worship : This is quite interesting. Mrs. Jebb : Sergeant "Rogers has had his eye on it for some time. His Worship : Do you swear that these people played cards there for money?— Yes. They played constantly. In Princes Street they used to come every Sunday morning. There the language was something dreadful. His Worship (to applicant): You heard your wife's evidence about gambling. What have you to say about it ? Has she told the truth or not? I want you to be very careful about this, because I am going to have this thing investigated. Applicant: It has been rumoured— His Worship : I don't want rumours; I want to know whether it is true or false. Do you swear you did not play cards for money yourself?—l do swear so. To your knowledge did other people go there and play ?—They have played on one or two occasions. For what?— They only played a sporting game amongst themselves. I cannot tell what foT, I was not an interested party. You know perfectly well. Were "they playing for money?— Yes. Mrs. Jebb (to His Worship) : Look here, if you knew half I know, he would be in Mount Eden. I won't 6ay anything, I had better not. You don't know what he is. He is a home devil and a street angel. Because I would not allow the gambling to go on he cleared off and went to Sydney. Position of the Children. His Worship adjourned the matter until next Friday. "In the meantime," he said, "I shall instruct the police to make inquiries as to things generally. What I am anxious about is the children. I want to see that they are in proper surroundings. Mrs. Jebb : They are under my care. His Worship : lam not saying anything against you at all. I am trying to get information. lam going to get the police to make full investigation-. " If what your wife says is true, you will get very little sympathy from me, I can tell you," remarked His Worship to applicant as he left the witness-box.