A MUCH MARRIED MAN.

Press, Volume LII, Issue 9126, 10 June 1895, Page 3

A MUCH MARRIED MAN.

At the Magistrate's Court, Christchurch, on Saturday, before Mr H. W. Bishop, S.M., George Peck was brought up on remand anl charged, on an information laid at Auckland, with having deserted his wife aud six children. Inspector Broham conducted the prosecution. Mr Byrne appeared for tho defence. Mr Broham said that the case was somewhat peculiar. The accused, who also had a wife iv Christchurch, hadb.en-rrestcd on theprssautahargc, and from what he then said proceedings bad been instituted against him for bigamy, on which cliarg l"0 had beeu committed for trial. Mr Bro\tm then called Annie Louisa Hooper Beck, who stated that in 1881 she came out to Auckland iv the ship Rakaia. She waa in charge of two children and defendant was assistant steward. An acquaintance was struck up which, three months after landing, resulted in their marriage. They lived together for seven years, when he went to Melbourne in search of work. He returned after an absence of a year, and stayed three weeks, when he again went to Australia, and she had not seen him since until she saw him iv the Christchurch Court. He had written regulariy, and sometimes sent remittances of money till December, 1891, when his letters ceased. Since then her rent had been paid by the Christian Endeavour Society, Auckland, and for some time she had received 53 weekly from the Charitable Aid Board, and her friends had helped her. Her aix children were all too young to do anything. In crossexamination ahe said that af .er they were engaged he told her something of his history. He said.that he had been married, and had one child, but his wife had eloped. To Mr Bishop—" I did not believe his story about being previously married. I think I waa imposed upon." Detective Marsack deposed that on arresting the accused he said, "Yes, I am the man you want, and I married her in Auckland, but it was not a legal marriage"—a statement he subsequently repeated on his being brought up on a charge of bigamy. Mr Byrne said if it were only sought to obtain an order for maintenance he should, pending the trial for bigamy, offer no opposition. The evidence for the defence in that case would dispose of this, but if punishment were intended he should call evidence. Inspector Broham said nothing more than an order was desired. The accused was then put into the box and examined as to his means. He said that he averaged about £2. per week, and he had to keep his Christchurch wife, to whom he had been married in July, 1894, and one child. Mr Bishop — '• Since you left your wife in Auckland have you ever thought about that unfortunate woman and your six children ? " Accused— " Yea, I often wondered how they were getting on.' Mr Bishop—" I should think you did !" Mr Byrne said he hoped that in any order be wn| about to make the Magistrate would consider that the accused had a wife and one child to provide for in Christchurch. Mr Bishop—" I shall not consider them at all." Addressing the accused, he added, " I could noc express in suitable terms what I think of your conduct, and, pending the other charge hanging over you, I shall not try. I do not believe your assertion that you were married in England. There i3 no proof whatever of it. 1 hold that for the purpose of these proceedings your marriage in Auckland has been proved to be legal, thereforo you are ordered to pay your wife £1 per week and I wish I coalmake ft more."