BEER OR THE BABY?

Auckland Star, Volume LVI, Issue 113, 15 May 1925, Page 6

BEER OR THE BABY?

WHICH WILL YOU HAVE? HUSBAND CHOOSES BABY. A prompt question put by Mr. F. K. Hunt, S.M.. at the Magistrate's ' ourt this morning brought a rase to a sudden termination. A wife wa? asking for maintenance from her husband, who claimed that she would not live witb him. The man's mother-in-law said: "He has always been a hard-working man: his only fault i? drink." Mr. Hall Skelton. who represented tbe husband, read a letter from a woman stating that ihe complainant hated hard work, and lived in the pictures, also that tiie wife said unless her husband got her a house in town she would not live with him. she wished to live in town and have plenty ot" money to dash round. Mr. Hall Skelton no tbe wile): Will you go to live at Kohimarama if your husband gets you a house:—No! Twill not. Mr. Hunt: You must go. if your husband has a home ready for you. A witness who lived at "x.tirangi described tho husband as "a drunkard, absolutely." The husband wa? then put in the witness box. and his Worship asked, "Which will you baie, the beer or the baby;" "Ihe babyl" was tiie prompt reply. Mr. Hunt said, "All right: you 'take nut a prohibition order against yourself, and make a home for your' wife to live- in with you. Tbe case i? adjourned for a month. If your wife will not go to your home she will not "el any order against you. A lady here rose in (ourt and said. "He's my bio; her. sir. and he does not need to take out a prohibition order." Mr. Hunt: Well, on tbe evidence, I think he does. He will have to give up his beer, and she mu.-t give up her love of town life.