POLICE COURT

Evening Star, Issue 19551, 9 May 1927, Page 5

POLICE COURT

■ — 4MONDAY, MAY 9. (Before Mr H. W. Bundle, S.M.) ALLEGED WIFE DESERTER. Henry Smith was charged with hav« ing failed to provide his wife with adequate maintenance. Defendant: ’‘l have lost my employment through this.” The Magistrate: ‘‘Why did you desert your wife-'” Defendant: May I have something to say? 1 was locked out of my homo by my wife. The Magistrate; We won’t go into the facts of the case now. You will have an opportunity later on. The case was adjourned until Fridaj next, defendant being released in bis own recognisance of £25, and ordered? to report daily to the police. i REMANDED. Jj Joseph Volmassi, charged with tKo, theft of a bicycle valued at £5, property of Peter Dougall, was remanded for a week. Mr Ross peared for accused. j. GUILTY OF THEFT. J'<\ Standing remanded for a week on the application of the police, Williaiat John Hardie pleaded guilty to tfiS theft, on May 8, of £6 10s in monoy, and one cheque, the property of E. V: Pitches. ' Chief-detective Cameron made tlfe application for a remand. Hardie wife out on probation, and would probably’ be charged later with a broaca of bp probation. Ho also wished to inquire into an offence alleged to Lave been committed at Invercargill. ’ The remand was granted. 5 The Chief Detective asked if HB: Worship would consider the return cfj the money to tho complainant, wfio lived in Central Otago and was desirous of returning to his home. n The Magistrate; Tho accused has pleaded guilty, and the money can bo returned to the owner. MAINTENANCE. } Charles Campbell, £ll3 7s 6d m arrears on a maintenance order made in respect to his wife, stated that he; had only earned £6O 8s 8d during, the past six months. “He is a strong able-bodied man,” said Mr Irwin, who appeared for complainant, “and if ho cannot earn more] than he is doing on the waterfront it is time he changed his occupation.” The defendant produced a statement of his earnings during the past six mouths, but tho Magistrate said he wanted to know what Campbell had earned during the past two years. Ho adjourned the case for a week in order to give defendant an opportunity of supplying the court with this information. The Magistrate also asked that the police should furnish a report on the man’s habits. Costs (£2 2s) allowed on the original maintenance order in his wife’s favor was stated to be unpaid by Edward Fitzpatrick, who did not appear. Mr Irwin said that the wife had left without enforcing payment under tho order. Tho Magistrate; And tho children? Mr Irwin. Your Worship got a report on tho children at the time. The other man in the case has also left Dunedin. Defendant was sentenced to fortyeight hours’ imprisonment, to bo released on payment of the arrears. Ernest R. Hobson was proceeded against for an affiliation order. Mr White, who appeared for complainant, asked that defendant should enter into a bond and also that the case be adjourned until after the child was born. Mr Irwin, who appeared for defendant, said he would “strenuously object” to the application being being granted. The defendant, he added, denied that he was the father of tho child, or that he intended leaving the country. “ Too often,” continued Mr Irwin, “wo have instances where a man is adjudged the father of a child and then the orders have to be revoked. It is much more satisfactory to have the court proceedings after the child is born.” Mr White said that defendant, who was an electrician, made a statement to the effect that he was going on a boat as soon as he was out of his time. Complainant’s father had taxed him with it. Mr Irwin: The statement was made many months ago, long before the child' was thought of. Tho young man has no intention of leaving. If he did, the father would have to pay. There is no suggestion that the father intends leaving. The Magistrate; We must have something more than general statements, Mr White. Mr White: Will you fix a date and hear the people on‘the subject? Mr Irwin: It’s a most improper proceeding. ~ . .. . Mr White: But it’s tho usual thing. Mr Irwin: No. The case was adjourned until May IC.