FRANCIS THE FOURTH.

NZ Truth, Issue 234, 18 December 1909, Page 7

FRANCIS THE FOURTH.

Batterer, Bummer, and Boozer.

The matrimonial miseries of Jane McAlanas and Francis Edward McManus were brought up for full inspection before Magistrate Widdowson, at Dunedin, ou Monday, v/ben Jane sought a judicial i-eparaiion from Frank en account of his cxcessi.o liquor and language propensities. Jane is a lady oi extensive proportions, and will never again, see the 45 milestone m this vale of tears and beer. Francis is about the same age, and made himself a confounded nuisance m court by. interpolating m unintelligible and unnecessary interjections m a thick, husky voice. Java told a heartrending tale of Frank's awful actions and engaged Lawyer Lemon to chaperon her. Lawyer Hawkins, who gives Mr Hanlon a hand m the noble pursuit of "Costs," had a hard row to hoe m looking after Francis the florid. Lawyer Lemon said that the Voice duly" breathed over Jane and Francis live years aso, Frank being Jane's fourth draw out of the matrimonial lucky-bag, and-as subsequent events proved— was not Avorth dipping for. He had bashed and kicked his loving spouse and she Was afraid of her life. Lawyer Lemon called Jane. Jane said she married Francis five years before and had lived with him until a fortnight ago. She left him before lor about tour months on account of illtreatment. Francis came down to Port Chalmers to get her to return. He kicked up a row at the house she w a s staying at m Port Chalmers, and m consequence was convicted of using obscene language. She got a place then, and Prank went to sea. On his return he •was ifl m the hospital and sent for her, saying' he was dying. Sire gave him some money and afterwards went to live with him. . On several occasions Franois came homo under the influence of drink and hush™! her and kicked her. Two months uro Frank kicked her on the stomach, and she had to no and consult a doctor m cons'e<|ti?nrc. Defendant used to curse her fluently and didn't supply her with food. There were other unnatural offences, she alleged, against I'irn, but she wouldn't Jike to mention them. Frank was all riirht wlirn he wasn't surrounding beer. Rbs* xt; afraid of her Jife, and bad no moan': sii-MW'ld Dot work since he had

injured - her back. On the way to the court Frank had threatened her and saad he would do 12 months for her. He was earning 35s a week at the Leviathan Hotel and His job was a "stittdy" one. To Mr Hawkins : She was quite sure of the cruelty and she never assaulted him. She remembered her hubby being assaulted at Lyttelton, but that was by two drunken sailors whom he had brought home to drink beer. She never hit him with a hammer nor cut him m the back and thigh with a knife. She didn't, indulge m strong waters, exceptfor sickness. It "was "something dreadful the stuff he put out of sight." He had not been sober for three months, and got the sack from the Drainage Board for "swank." Frank here pointed out the mark on Ins head, and Lawyer Hawkins asked the lady if she bad cadsed it with a stone. The lady indignantly denied doing such a horrible thing. Frank was her fourth effort m the husband line. The others were dead. On one occasion when Frank was mad drunk she had .to' clear out of the house naked. Agoes Zwicker, daughter of Mrs McMarius, said she x bad seen her stepfather strike.»her mother on the head about ten. days ago. He was drunk and used foul language. He then took his coat off and said he would pawn it if she didn't give him some money for drink. He Pawned it and came back" worse. Her mother had shown her the bruises on her- stomach and legs. She had often heard him use dreadful language. ' To Mr Hawkins : Frank's favorite forms of amusement were drinking and fighting. .He . also wouldn't work. She had only seen her mother struck once. Several times her mother had come round to witness's house: m her nightdress. Frank had often said he would "do for" her mother. He was never sober and mother never touched it. Annie Martin, who stays at the Supreme Court, told of Jane coming to her and showing her two or three pretty bad bruises on her legs. They, appeared 'to have been caused by a blow. Jane was sober, and witness told her to see ' the police about it. Mr Lemon said there were other witnesses whom he could call, but he thought he had proved cruelty. Mr Widdt>wson thought that the fullest evidence should be brought m these cases, and adjourned' the case till Wednesday morning to permit ot extra evidence being called. •■ i ■•■••■■