SENSE OF GRIEVANCE

Evening Star, Issue 21714, 8 May 1934, Page 12

SENSE OF GRIEVANCE

EX-PROFESSOR INTERRUPTS COURT

RICHARDS MAINTENANCE PROCEEDINGS

[ Pku Ux'iteu Press Association.]

WELLINGTON, May 7. David James Richards, aged fiftyfour, u retired professor, entertained a crowded court when he came before Mr W. F. Stilwell, S.M„ to-day on two charges of being in arrears of maintenance—one in respect of his wife and another relating to his child. In reply to allegations that he owed £l2 for his wife’s maintenance and £3 for his child’s maintenance, he stated that he had been the victim of the “ sharp practice ” of a Wellington‘firm of solicitors. , r “ The position is this, said Mr btuwell, “that you have had money in your savings bank account, and tor reasons which you deem fit you hirvo paid it to solicitors and other sources, but you have to remember that there is an order of the court in respect of the maintenance of your wife and “ 1 would have to pay my legal debts even if she were living with me'. lam not going bankrupt for this woman or anybody else,” replied Richards. The magistrate adviseu Richards to bring’ on an application for a variation of the maintenance order if he felt justified. He convicted Richards on both charges, and on the one relating to his wife he sentenced the defendant to one month’s imprisonment and ordered that die should be released on payment of £l2. On the charge relating to the child the magistrate imposed a sentence of ten days’ imprisonment, the defendant to be released on payment of £3. The sentences to be concurrent. “Fifteen pounds!” exclaimed Richards. “ How can I do it? I haven’t got it-” .. ~ Counsel for the wife began to address Mr Stilwell on the question of arrears when he was interrupted by Richards. “ Send him out,” directed the magistrate, and Richards was conducted outside by the court orderly. “ This man is labouring under a sense of very great injustice, most of it imaginary no doubt,” commented the magistrate. •