ALLEGED ILL-TREATMENT.

Auckland Star, Volume XXIV, Issue 221, 18 September 1893, Page 2

ALLEGED ILL-TREATMENT.

A PECULIAR DEFENCE,

HIS WIFE COUGHED AND SKOIED,

A peculiar case was heard at the Eotd Albert R.M. Courb on the 13th inst., below Mr Bush, R.M., and four Justices.

Mary Walsh applied for a separation and maintenance order against her husband, Thomas Walsh. The defendant is a farmer residing at Tauhoa, and the case created considerable interest.

Mr Bealo appeared for the wife and Mr o'Menj]her for the defendar.it. The complainant deposed that ehe had received ill-treatrnenb for a long time, until she could stand it no longer. She had been compelled to seek shelter with her brother, Thomas Fletcher. She had no means of support for herself and hor young daughter aged seven yearß. Mrs A. Boler R. Dickinson and Thos, Fletcher gave evidencu us to cruelty, and ill-treatment. It was stated that defendant had threatened to knock his wife's brains out with a grubhoe. She had gone down on her knees and prayed to him to spare her life. Defendant had used abominable language to her continually, She was afraid that her hueband would take her life. Mrs Walsh mi cross-examined at some length by Mr O'Meagher. The defendant, sworn, denied the various acts of cruelty alleged against him. He wai a hard-working man, and when he came home he did bo to geb rest—but no rest for him His wife coughed and snored in bed at the same time, " on purpose to annoy him." His wife thought herself superior to him as he had no educatiom He had elbowed her riba to stop her coughing and snoring. Mr Beale to defendant: Do you snore ? Defendant: Yes. I've done 48 hours right off. Mr Beale: Can you cough and enoro ad the same time ? Defendant: No, can you? My wifes snoring was fearful, and she snored when she was awake.

Mr Beale: Do you believe in signs ? Defendant: I don't know what) pt mean.

Mr Beale: Do you bolievo cracked "plttM and dishes make signs ?

Defendant: I'm not bo soft. Thos. Fletcher, in cross examination by Mr O'Meagher, said he waa marriod last May, in Auckland. His wife lived m Auckland. He had nob brought her liomo, as he had no room for bar while Mrs Walsh (his sister) lived with him. His bouse vtt too small for his sister and wife to live Wi lie had not heard from his wife for 6oai9 time.

Mr O'Meaghor: When wero yo« married ?

Defendant : In May. Mr O'Meagher: Have you heard trom her lately ? t . Defendant: No; over a month sinco 1 heard from her. Mr O'Meagher: Then you don't know whether your wife is dead or alive ?

Defendant: No. Mr O'Meagher: That's enjoying the honeymoon at long range with a vengeance. The KM. said he thought Mr O'Meagher might refrain from making further inquiries into the witness' married life. Mr O'Meagher: I think so. Queer honeymoon according to my idea. Very long range! . The K.M. said he hoped tho evidence ot complainant and her witnoßees had been exaggerated, or else he should con6iaer that the defendant was a poor specimen ot a man. Perhaps the complainanb ougM «> have taken action in tho Supremo Court, with a view of getbing a divorce. But me evidence,did nob disclose personal violence. The dofendant had oiTered to pub his cniia away to school and pay for her maintenance, and as it was possible there were faults oa both sidoß, he was unable' to make any order.