HIS TEA NOT READY.

Auckland Star, Volume LXI, Issue 62, 14 March 1930, Page 5

HIS TEA NOT READY.

MAN ASSAULTS WIFE.

PROVOCATION PLEADED

•HIT HIM WITH A CUP. ,,

HUSBAND FIXED £2,

Discordant notes were struck in the matrimonial melody of Samuel Barrett, labourer, aged 45, and his wife, Annie Barrett, in their home at Remuera last night, and in consequence the husband appeared in the Police Court this morning. He pleaded not guilty to a charge of' assaulting his wife, and told the magistrate that Mrs. Barrett had been under the influence of liquor and had hit him with a cup. Mr. Wyvern Wilson, S.M., disapproving of Barrett's behaviour, imposed a fine of £2. Mrs. Barrett said she married accused 14 years ago. She returned to her home at Seaview Road about five o'clock last night. Her husband arrived some time later and complained that there was no tea ready for him. "I told him I had not long been home from my work, but lie smacked me across the face," she saia. "I said, 'All right, I'll get the tea,' and I started to light the fire. That's all I remembered for a while. He hit me again."

The witness lifted her hat and showed the magistrate her face. One eye was swollen and blackened and there were bruises upon her face.

Accused: Were you under the influence of drink?—No, I had a "spot," but I wasn't that bad.

"You have not been drinking to any extent this past fortnight, I suppose?" was the husband's next question. "Not at your expense, anyway," replied the wife. You've had the tea ready every night I've come home from work?— Yes, your tea is always reads' for you. There is not another man in Auckland who's fed like you. (Laughter.)

Constable Olver, of Newmarket, who was called to the house at eight o'clock last evening, said Mrs. Barrett's face was covered in blood. She smelt of liquor and although not drunk was unsteady on her feet. Accused was quite sober. "I'm sorry this happened last night," said accused, in stating his version from the dock. "But the last two weeks my wife has often failed to have tea ready for me. I've had to turn and cook tea for my boy and myself. I can also say that she has been under the influence of liquor several times the last two weeks —" "You're a liar," shouted Mrs. Barrett from the rear of .the Court. "She hit me with a bottle last night," added accused. The Magistrate: Did it make any mark ? —Yes, a little scar on my head. The Magistrate: It must have been a little bottle, then. "It wasn't a bottle at all. I hit him with a cup," yelled Mrs. Barrett, who was then taken outside- the courtroom by the constable orderly. "Obviously this woman was not acting as a housewife should," said Mr. Wyvern Wilson, in giving his decision. "I think she should be prohibited. While I believe what you have said about her drinking, Barrett, I think that your disciplinary methods are not to be commended. You will be fined £2."