DRINK AND GAMBLING.

Auckland Star, Volume LI, Issue 290, 4 December 1920, Page 7

DRINK AND GAMBLING.

TELEGRAPH EMPLOYEES

DOWNFALL.

The downfall of an employee in the telegraph department woe related in a divorce application in the Supreme Court before the Chief Justice this morning, when Mrs. Elsie Bt-trice Bottance petitioned for a divorce from her husband, Alfred Thomas Clarence BaQanee, to whom she was married oil June 21, 1911The parties lived at Henderson, and subsequently at Auckland. For two years their relations were, agreeable, and then the husband, aocording to the petitioner's story as elicited by her counsel. Mr. Singer, took to drink and gambling and staying away at nights. In December, 1916, while employed in the telegraph department, he forged a money order telegram, and wae convicted and put on probation for three years. He was dismissed from his employment. He did no work, and did not support either his wife or their two children. In 1918 he got leave to enlist, and he got as far; as Fremantle go_g overseas when lie was returned by the nvlitary authority as diseased. Strbseqiiently he was eentertced to a term of three years* reformatory treatment. j

Oorrooorative evidence wae given by Mr. F. R. Jeffreys. Probation Officer, who said the petitioner was supported for a time by the Patriotic Awociation. s_e repeatedly crjrmpla : ned of her husband having annoyed her and threatened her life and fhe lives _ the children. He, bad been sent for reformatory treatment to save him from himself.

A decree nisi was granted.