MAINTENANCE CASES.

Auckland Star, Volume XLIII, Issue 23, 26 January 1912, Page 6

MAINTENANCE CASES.

MARRIED AT SEVENTEEN. Joseph Michael Moran appeared before Mr. C. C. Kettle, 6.M., to-day to answer the demand of his wife for maintenance of her two children and herself, also for a separation order. Mrs. Moran stated she was married at seventeen at Thames three years Her husband had not given her any support since last October. She made complaints that her husband had treated her cruelly, and that he was a man of inebriate haiii/S. The husband said his wife left him to live with her mother. When they lived at Thames nearly every pay day she wanted to run up to Auckland. He had no complaints to make against his wife's conduct, except that he wanted her to return to live with him. In answer to Mr. Kettle, witness said he was a miner at Karangahake. Drink had something to do with the trouble. His -wife had been good to him. He told his wife he would not give her any money while she lived with her mother. Ultimately his Worship adj Turned the case for three weeks, the husband swearing off drink, and to forward 20/ per week to iiis wife in the interim. A BROTHER'S KEEP. Alexander Dunn and Laughlin George Dunn appeared to show cause why they should not contribute towards the maintenance of a brother in a mental hospital. Sergeant Dane, of Newmarket, said LaugUin Dunn had acted as penciller for another man, and as they were caught, they were each fined £2O, bo at the present time he was paying that off at the rate of 15/ per week. Alexander Dunn said he was willing to pay what he had agTeed when in steady work.— Mr. Kettle adjourned the case for three weeks. A SINGULAR CASE. A most unusual case was one in which a respectable looking man named Mark Mooney was 6ued for maintenance of his wife and child. Mr. Grundy appeared for the defence. The wife said that after they had been married for three weeks her husband "ave her some money, and turned her out. He told her to clear out, as he did not want here there. Mr. Kettle asked the reason, and, failing to get a reply, remarked: " You are hiding something from me. I suppose you were happy for the first month after you were married?" Witness said they did not live happily that month. He did not want to make a home for her at Mamaku, so he sent her back to Auckland. Mr. Kettle: "What was the reason?" Witness said since then she had been with her mother, and until the child was born her husband sent her £ 1 peT week. In answer to Mr. Grundy the witness said that her husband gave her £ls on the first of August, 1910. That was for herself, and she went to Sydney. After that he gave her £4 and she went to Hastings. Mr. Grundy remarked that that •brought the payments of £1 per week almost up-to-date. In answer to Mr. Kettle the wife said that her husband had got so used to living in hotels and boarding houses, he would not settle in a home of bis own. She would like a separation. Mr. Kettle: 1 have no doubt you would, but you have only asked for maintenance. Mr. Grundy said his client was quite prepared to provide for his wife and child, but wished his story to bg also beard in Court. Mark Mooney deposed that hie wife went away from hhn. He sent money for her maintenance, and at Christina* came to town, when the child was born. His wife would not make a home for him. His wife was of a jealous disposition, but he gave no cause. When he sent her £ls it was to make a home in Auckland, instead of which she went to Sydney. The wife interjected that she did not leave her husband, each time it was he who sent her away.. Mr. Kettle said if the husband's statement was correct, and he was inclined to think it was. Mrs. Mooney had no right to come there and ask to have him arrested, or for an order of maintenance. Evidently the wife preferred to be "on her own" again. She was of an age when she knew that upon entering the married state she took up certain responsibilities. The information would be dismissed. Mr. Grundy said that, as before, the husband would still contribute towards the support of his wife and child.