UNHAPPY WAR MARRIAGE

Dominion, Volume 19, Issue 296, 10 September 1926, Page 8

UNHAPPY WAR MARRIAGE

APPEAL FROM SEPARATION ORDER By Telegraph.—Press association Auckland. September 9. The Chief Justice (Hon C P. Skerrett) heard an appeal by I'homas Watson Arthur from a judgment of a Magistrate in granting his wife a separation and guardianship order, on the ground of persistent cruelty. The parties were married in England while appellant was with the New Zealand Epeditionarv Force. Annie Elizabeth Arthur said that she had known her husband for only one month when they were married in 1919. His behaviour was peculiar. He used to lock himself in his cabin on the vovage to New Zealand 'ind ignore 'her. After a reconciliation she complained to him of tlie obnoxious • behaviour of a fellow-passenger. Her husband threatened the man with a revolver and was placed under arrest. Witness detailed alleged acts of cruelty in New Zealand She said that she had to' seek protection in the home of Mr and Mrs. Lander. The latter couple stated in evidence that Arthur had called at their house in a violent rage and demanded his wife and her clothes. He said that he would truss her up, like a fowl. Appellant in evidence gave a categorical denial of his wife’s allegations. Three of his brothers and two other witnesses corroborated his evidence.. His Honour said that he was satisfied that the wife’s evidence had been sufficiently corroborated. He dismissed the appeal with costs and referred the question of maintenance back to the Magistrate.