KNOCKED THE SPIRIT OUT.

Auckland Star, Volume LIII, Issue 78, 1 April 1922, Page 5

KNOCKED THE SPIRIT OUT.

READER WHO WOULD NOT RISK IT. Some, amusing points were elicited in cross-examination during the hearing of a case before Mr. E. C. Cutten, S.M., at the Magistrate's Court. An application was made by a man for a reduction in the amount of maintenance he had been ordered to pay to his wife. Mr. A. Hogg appeared for the husband and Mr. J. J. Sullivan for the wife. The husband stated his wife at times took her second husband's name. "How many has she had?" asked Mr. Hogg. "I am her third one." was the reply. The man stated hi' was now 03 years of age. and could not get work, hence his application for a variation of the order. The wife contended, however, that 25/ per week was little enough for her to live upon. In answer to Mr. Hogg she said she had been connected with spiritualists and a theopophieal society. "Are you willing: to make friends with your, husband V" asked Mr. Hogg—"l would Fooncr drown myself than go back to him." "Had you anything from your other, husbands?"—" No." "Cannot you make money at spirit readingsV"—"I could before T met him." "Has lie knocked the spirit out of you?"—"My word, he has. I would not risk spirit reading now." "Fear of prosecution." —"No, I nm not well enough." "Then you are not willing to go back to your husband?" —"No. His other i wife had eight children, and she had to : leave." I "You are not weak so far as your tongue is concerned." —"That is all I Lean do. I can speak up for myself, but I Jam not strong enough to work." i Finally Mr. Cutten rdeeuemhe ~d the , • Finalyl, Mr. Cutten reduced the order I from 25/ to 20/ per week.