WIFE ASSAULTED.

Auckland Star, Volume LXXI, Issue 70, 23 March 1940, Page 5

WIFE ASSAULTED.

VIOLENT HUSBAND,

"HE IS A GOOD SOLDIER." ASSURANCE FROM DOCK. While he might bo a good soldier. Robert Jolin Clement Adams, aged 52, was a violent husband on Thursday, according to the evidence produced Ix'fore Messrs. Arthur Kosscr and A. J. Stratford, JJVs, in the Polico Court this morning. Adams, who looked smart in a. unifonn decorated with several war ribbons, pleaded guilty to a charge of assaulting his wife, Helena Adams, at Dc.vonporf. on Thursday last.

Senior-Sergeant Hurley said Adams was a soldier in -the national military guard doing duty at the Hohsonville Air Base. On Thursday evening he went, to his home in Devonport and found his wife was absent. When she returned she found that accused, who was under the Influence of liquor, had fallen down fiomo stairs. Adams went to sleep, but on awakening ho Jiecamo very violent and used bad language. He aimed a blow at his wife and also wrenched her arm, afterwards picking up a chair to hit her with rt. Then ho put her out of the house. Mrs. Adams went to the Devonport police and returned with Constable O'Carroll about 8.30 p.m. Constable Makes Arrest. "The constable tried to pacifv Adams, but without success," added .Mr. Harl.-y. "Adams picked up a bread knife and said he would cut his wife's throat. To save further trouble the constable arrested him. Adams was an Imperial soldier who held the rank of sergeant in the last war and served in the army of occupation on the Rhine. His wife is afraid of him. There is no family." Representing Mrs. Adams, Mr. Ackins said she was very apprehensive of her husband. Counsel alleged that Adams a few nights ago threatened to cut her throat the next time he was on leave. "1 would suggest that your Worship, whatever you may do with Adams, should make it plain to him that he is not to go near his wife," said Mr. Ackins. Colonel Dawson, accused's commanding officer, said Adams was a good soldier. "If he is given a chance I will see that ho returns to Hohsonville and that he will not go near his wife until this matter is cleared up," Colonel Dawson said. Wife Must be Protected. Mr. Itosser: We are very sorry to find you appearing in His Majesty's uniform before us on such a charge, but your wife has got to be protected. The Bench convicted and ordered Adams to come up for sentence if called upon within three months and warned him of the consequences if he molested his wife during that period. Adams: 1 can assure your Worships it will not occur again. "lie is such a good soldier that wo will do ifur best to keep him up to his promise," Colonel Dawson said. Adams left the Court in a ear with Colonel Dawson and a non-commissioned officer. OBITUARY. MR. JAMES P. BENNETT. Formerly an inspector of fisheries for tiie Marine Department for -10 years, Mr. James Phillip Bennett has died at. his residence, lioscawen Terrace, Point Chevalier, at the age of 82. He came to Xew Zealand from New South Wales 78 years ago, and after a period when he was engaged in fishing at Tapu. CoroMinndol, he was appointed a fisheries inspector. Mr. Bennett made a special study of oyster culture and problems connected with management of oyster beds, being for nianv vears one of the best known figure* about the Hauiaki Gulf. He retired about 12 years ago. He is survived bv his wife and son.

MR. J. H. ANDERSON. f ■ ■ A Northern AVniroa pioneer. Mr. ■Tocseiili Hay Anderson, of To Kopnru, has died at Uie age of no ypar?. Bom in London lie camp lo the Dominion with his parents in the barn lie Estfiold in IS.">(>. In 1807 Mr. Anderson went to the Northern Wairoa district, and for 3d yearn was engaged in bridge and wharf building. All (lie principal structures on Hie Northern Wairoa Uiver constructed before 1012 were hnilt by Mr. Anderson. He retired in that year. He is survived by his wife and an adult family. MRS. ELIZABETH FLYNN. The deal li has occurred at Otaliulin of Mrs. Eliai-bctli Flynn, who i-pcnt all of iior fin years in New Zealand. Her motlier came In New Zealand with her nircnls Mr and Mrs. McUrierty, in the lime fii'fford. while her father. Mr. .Tame= ttrillitli travelled out in the Victory, which brought fiovcrnor Hobson to the colony. Mrs. Klynn's husband was the late Mr. .Tolin Francis Flynn. who came to the Dominion during the Maori War. He died in 1900 at the"age of 57. MR. JOHN BICE.

The funeral of Mr. John Biec, of 457, Blockhouse Bay Hoad, late of Thames, was attended yesterday bv members of the Oddfellow's' Lodge. The late Jfr. Bice was a well-known member of the Xew Zealand railway, workshops staff, having been stationed at Napier, Wellington, I'almerston North and Xcwmarket. Prior to joining the railways, he spent, some years goldmining "at Thames and Waihi. He leaves a wife, a ron and a daughter.