WAS THERE A CONSPIRACY?

Evening Post, Volume LXXXIII, Issue 140, 13 June 1912, Page 3

WAS THERE A CONSPIRACY?

INVESTIGATION PROMISED IN AUCKLAND CASE. ' AUCKLAND, 12th June. "This is a case which calls for search in order to ascertain whether or not a number of people have conspired to ruin this woman's character and her* health," remarked Mr.. C. C. Kettle, S.M., in the Magistrate's Court at the conclusion of a maintenance case which, embraced many peculiar features. The case was based- on 'a claim by Sarah Lilian Inder for £102 as arrears of maintenance, which hbr husband, William Francis Inder, .had agreed to pay at the rate of £3 per week when the separation order was made in 1908. Plaintiff admitted having received several small sums of money from her husband, but, as she was in ill-health and could not work, she sought to recover the arrears and adequate support. ' Mr.* Singer appeared for plaintiff, and Mr. Denniston represented defendant. Defendant's case was founded on the evidence of several witnesses, which indicated that Mrs. lnder's conduct had not been all that it ought to have been. Mr. Kettle suggested that Mrs. Inder should invoke the support of the' Destitute Persons Act, but, af|er some consideration by counsel, that suggestion was not adopted. Cross-examined by Mr. Denniston, witness admitted that she frequently took doees of morphia. Her husband had never complained of*her conduct. Mr. Kettle : Who advised you to take morphia? Witness : It was on a doctor's advice. j Mr. Singer contended that, tho evidence adduced by defendant revealed a I plot to ruin his client. J Perjury had j been ccmautted, he said, and he fevcrej ly criticised the ehafaetens of tho witI nesses. Jlrs. la-der had denied that she Lad been guilty of mibuouduct, and she had rebutted everything that had been laid against her. "I can promise you a most searching enquiry into this matter," said Mr. Kettle, turning to Mrs. Inder. "It has been contended that these people am guilty of perjury. You have absolutely j demed every tiling that they have said, aiad, if what you say is triie, these .people aie guilty of perjury, and they hay* conspired to ruin you." Mr. Kettle added : "I will leave nothing undone to get at the truth cf the matter, and, if I find that a conspiracy had been entered into- to injure this woman, I will move heaven and earth to reach the truth." The case was adjourned until Saturday morning. FURNITURE TRADE DISPUTE SETTLED DUNEDIN.I2th June. A sitting of the Conciliation Council was held to-day, to consider the'furniture tiade dispute. The following agreement was arrived at. and will apply to Otago and Southland: — 44 hours shall constitute a week's work. Wages for journeymen cabinetmakers, upholsterers, chair and frame makers, machinists, wood carvers, turners, picture framers, and polishers shall bo 1* 4£d per hour. After an apprentice completes his term he may be employed as tin improver for six mouths at Is l^d per hour, and for a further six- months at Is 3d per hour. Two hours', notice shall be given on either side before dismissal or leaving employment-. Overtime : Rate and v, quarter for th« firat two hours, and time 'and * half thereafter until 10 p.m. ApgrmtipM' w*gcg 5^ be^ .&' fur thfi_ j

first year ; 12e for second ; 16s for third ; 21s for fouith ; and 28s 6d for fifth. The proportion of apprentices to journeymen is not to exceed one or two. The period of apprenticeship is to be five years. The usual preference and under-rate clauses a,ro provided. The award comes into force on Ist Julj", and remains in force till 20th June, 1914.