MISERABLE MARRIAGE

Evening Post, Volume LXXXVIII, Issue 90, 13 October 1914, Page 3

MISERABLE MARRIAGE

MORE MENTION OF THE FURNESS CASE. “This is another page in the history of a miserable married life,” said Mr. C. W. Nielson yesterday in opening, a case at the Magistrate’s Court, in which Edmund Earl Furness was charged with failing to provide for his wife, Blanch Louisa Furness. The complainant was the wife’s mother, Eliza Urwin. Mr. Nielson said thaut the parties were married many years ago, and there were no children. Early last year defendant ejected hie wife from a private hotel in Wellington, where the couple ,were staying. She went to live with her widowed mother, and she was not given a penny by her husband. Later a deed of separation was drawn up, and Furness agreed to contribute £1 2s 6d towards the support of his wife. No sooner had this settlement been arrived at than he instituted proceedings for divorce, joining a co-respondent. The petition camo before Mr. Justice Hosking and a jury of twelve, and was dismissed. Thon Mrs. Furness’s health broke down, and she had to go to Auckland. Here she obtained light employment by wrapping lollies for sale at the various picture shows. She earned a few shillings a week for herself, and as soon as Furness became aware of this fact he stopped his contributions, towards her support! He was now eight weeks in arrears. There was no reason why he should not be made to pay. He had permanent employment as a tolls officer on the wharf, and with overtime earned between £3 and £4 per week. Eliza Urwin corroborated this evidence on oath, and the case was then adjourned for a fortnight, when Mrs Furness will appear. Mr. D. G. A. Cooper, S.M., was on the bench, and Mr. H. F. O'Leary appeared for Furness.