AN ITALIAN WIDOW’S TROUBLE

Dominion, Volume 20, Issue 14, 12 October 1926, Page 10

AN ITALIAN WIDOW’S TROUBLE

POOR AND UNABLE TO SPEAK ENGLISH Although it is a far cry from the smiling sunshine of Italy to the cheerlessness of unemployment in Wellington, Mary Babbage, a widow, finds herself through misfortune in the latter predicament to-dav. Unable to speak the English language, she sent her solicitor to the Magistrate's Court yesterday in order to seek the shelter of the law and try to have an order made so that her only relative in Wellington would not leave New Zealand without Lelping to ease the pitiful plight in which she is now alleged to stand. "She is destitute,” said Mr. 0. G. Mazengarb in lodging a complaint on her behalf against • Mjitthew Babbage under the Destitute Persons Act, ‘‘and if her brother, the defendant, _ leaves for the United States of America my client will fall a charge upon the State. About six months ago Babbage brought his sister from Italy to live with him in Wellington. Soon after she arrived, however, a family disturbance of some sort arose, with the icsult that the complainant had to leave defendant’s home. A while later Babbage’s wife and family left for the United States, where I understand the defendant intends to go soon? Tn the meantime his sister (who also married a Babbage) lias been working <s a kitchen maid in order to support terself. However. as she cannot speak English she now finds herself destitute. "The extraordinary feature of th» case,” continued counsel, "is that the chief witness for the widow came into my office on Saturday in a ftate of great excitement. 'I have been threatened with murder,’ he said, ‘and to have my house burnt down if 1 come to Court to give evidence.’ (Laughter.) Under the circumstances he is therefore afraid to go on with the proceedings.” Mr. Mazengarb then asked the Court to give him at least two days for the purpose of letting the police and the Salvation Army investigate the matter, "As Babbage may leave for America on Monday,” be said, "we cannot have the widow left on the hands cf the Mr. J. O’Donovan (for defendant): We are quite ready to go on. I oppose your application. Mr. J. IT. Salmon, S.M.: As far as the Italian witness was concerned, could you not have subpoenaed him, Mr. Mazengarb? Air. Mazengarb: Well, in view of the allegations I would like Io have , the matter investigated properly. Mr. O'Donovan: There are no allegations at all. It's only moonshine. (Laughter.) Mr. Mazengarb: It may he a mores nest and it may not be one. Anyway, 1 have my duty to do to my client, and so I ask that the matter be stood down for a little while. The ease was adjourned until Friday next.