A VOLUNTARY SEPARATION

NZ Truth, Issue 79, 22 December 1906, Page 5

A VOLUNTARY SEPARATION

Petitioner m a Maintenance Case Fails to put m an Appearance. Alleged That Hubby Could "Show Cause," And Wifey Daren't Face a Showing Up. A maintenance - separation case which, had it come on for hearing, would have given the tram troubadors of this section something to talk about, was on the list at the Police Court for Monday last. But disappointment was m store for the curious ones, the action being struck out!

The reason was that the "lidy" m the bad business, who had summoned her husband for a separation order and support; had good reason to think it would be inconvenient, or uncomfortable or something else, to appear m Court. It is -said that at the- last minute the defaulting feminine told her solicitors her mother was seriously ill a nd she must hasten to her dvin*' bed. She hastened accordingly, but the curious thing was she went m the wrong direction. Her aged mummer lives m the South Island', and the solicitous daughter is said to have gone north by train. Seemingly the stricken narent yarn was. but an excuse to let the >case lapse and mayhap the "injured" wife was wise m lihe step she took. She would possibly have

HAD A BAD TIME m tlie box trying for that teparation ordeir, compared with which crossing ' the Straits m a southerly buster would be child's play.

Hubby is a 'tram driver, and his defence to the separation application that didn't eventuate is said to have been of an absolutely torrid description. Stated that he was going to allege all sorts of nasty, unkind things against his now missing missus, including __ fair staG&erer m the. form of adultery. Whether he could or not won't be known, at all events fbr some time, but 'tis alleged that if Mr Tram-driver had pranced into the box to "show cause" he could have shown it airight, and fie woufd have had any number of details wherewith to prove his wife's infidelity. Amongst others was a little incident that occurred on* wet night. Hub | was booked on duty until the witching hour of midnight, but owing to tlie boisterous conditions of the elements he was booked off soon after nine p.m. and wended his way homeward. As he came within sight bf his domicile he was not exactly surprised to notice another and much high-er-up member of the tramway staff leave the premises and hasten forth into the street. Hubby kept very cool and collected, and just casually inquired of his wifey when he got inj doors if anyone had called. "No," I SHE BREATHED DEMURELY, ! "no one had. called." So the tired tram-man sat him down to supper, but after the meal was over put the question plump again, Had anyone - called that evening? He again received a negative reply. "Well," quoth he, secure m the evidence of his own eves, "how was it I saw leave "the house as I came up ?" f/rhen the sweet wifey suddenly remembered that the mail m .question had I been there, been there two hours m fajct. But the game was up, and the husband told her what he thought of her and her mysterious visitor, and informed her of tales of other -visits that had been breathed m his ear. | It is further alleged that said noc- ! tumal visitor is a certain individual, ! who, although not really of much account, thinks great shakes of. himself at NewtoAvn depot, where Me held a nosition of some authority till recently when lie Received "Irish promotion." Certainly, if all "Truth" hears is true, the vanishing lady m. the case showed discretion m keeping out of hearing of the- inquisitive law-, i ver engacred m her hubby's defence. It is also stated that her "gentle-' ! man friend" makes a practice of the • seductim of young wives and the busting up of happy homes and the | wonder is that pome- one. or two or three wronged and .shamed husbands ; do rot hnhl o drumhead cotirt-mnrtial. ! ond sentence him to the horsewhip and , the oooj;. •