FARMER SUES FATHER

Dominion, Volume 25, Issue 232, 27 June 1932, Page 8

FARMER SUES FATHER

Support for Children MAINTENANCE SOUGHT Magistrate Refuses Order Dominion Special Service. Auckland, June 25. Unusual circumstances surrounded a maintenance case heard before Mr. Wyvern Wilson, S.M., at Hamilton. Arthur Cyril Gogen, a well-educated young farmer of Horahora, claimed that his father, Harry Gogen, as a wealthy man, should help to support his (the son’s) four children. Counsel said the ages of complainant’s children were eleven, nine, four, and two years. Last March complainant obtained a divorce on the grounds of his wife’s failure to comply with an order for restitution. At that time he consented to an order for the payment by him of £l5 per month for the maintenance of his wife and children. His wife also received £23 annually from her father’s estate. Working Fann at Loss. Since the order was made his financial position and physical condition had become materially worse, and he was unable to comply with the order. He possessed 146 acres of land under a Crown leasehold at Horahora. At present his wife was pressing for payment owing to heavy medical expenses incurred through the illness of some of the children. He was working his farm at a loss. His father was reported to be worth £20,000, and his hobby was travelling round the world. On Tuesday he intended leaving for Vancouver. In evidence, complainant said he was suffering from heart and ear trouble, and could not do heavy work. His father had estates in Canada, Norway, New Zealand, and elsewhere, and substantial investments in New Zealand. Second Marriage Planned. Cross-examined; complainant admitted that shortly after his divorce he had travelled south with the Intention of marrying another woman. However, he said, he changed his mind, as her parents considered his financial position did not warrant marriage. He agreed that his father had lent and given him various sums of money. Defendant’s counsel said the children were not destitute, and that complainant was only £5 in arrears. * “He impresses me as being a remarkably selfish man,” said the magistrate, in referring to the complainant. “He tries to make me believe he is very anxious about the children, yet he could spend money to get a divorce and look for another wife.” No order was made.