AN UNHAPPY COUPLE.

Auckland Star, Volume XVII, Issue 78, 27 March 1886, Page 2

AN UNHAPPY COUPLE.

Domestic infelicity is a frequent cause of litigation at the Police Court, but it is seldom indeed that a case is heard in which tho .conjugal troubles are more numerous and serious than those of Walter Donald Munday and his wife, which were fully ventilated in Court to-day. The parties were married on the Piince of Wales s Birthday, 1875, the wife having previously been a Miss Turk. Tbe evidence went to show that the marriage was a most unfortunete one. Tho parties lived unhappily together for a short time, and then separated for seven years, and were brought together again at the end of that period through tbe mediation of one of the relatives. Matters again became lively, and after another unsuccessful probationary sail together on the sea of conjugal felicity, the wife left her husband, and sought - the shelter of her father's house. The parties appeared before tbe Resident Magistrate to-day on a summons issued by Mrs Munday, calling on her husband to contribute towards her support. Mr Theo. Cooper appeared for tbe complainant, and Mr Napier for the defendant. The general facts already stated were admitted on both sides. As may naturally be supposed, the hearing of the case involved the washing of a great deal of domestic dirty linen, if wo may be allowed to speak figuratively. Serious charges and counter-charges were made and reiterated most persistently. Mrs Munday alleged ill-treatment and cruelty against hor husband, and asserted that Bhe was put out of the house early in the morning. On the other hand, the defendant claimed that his wifo had been anything but attentive to his comfort, had thrown articles of furniture at him, had broken the brass candlestick on his head, and had smashed the family clock. There was one son, who was described by the father as being impudent and disobedient, and having been sent away from school. His Worship listened patiently until the wholo tale of family troubles had been unfolded, and then declined to make the order prayed for, stating at tho same timo that ho believed there were faults on both sides.