A WIFE’S MAINTENANCE

Greymouth Evening Star, 11 August 1920, Page 2

A WIFE’S MAINTENANCE

WEAK If LABOURER.

COULDN’T PAY 35/- A WEEK

BENCH MAKES AN ORDER

Airs Grassam, a separated woman, aplied for an increase in a Maintenance Order from 25/- to 35/- per ween, at the IvUg'.strate's Court this morning before Mr. F. E. Maunsell, S.M.

Mr. Joyce who appeared for Mr*. Grassam said that it was really a question as to how much to allow, under present circumstances for a woman and child. Samuel Grassam, wharf labourer and chimney sweep said that for the last six months he as earning £4 12s per week. He was batch ng and it ran him into about 30/- per week. The Magistrate: In that case it should run your w.fe into the same amount. Witness : I tried to get an interview with her but I couldn’t. To Mr. Joyce : The child Mrs. Grassam had with her was three years old. He went and took the bed and blanket away on the day of the separation. He d d tell his daughter on the day she went away that he had saved £ls. As a chimney sweep lie did a fair amount of work. He could not give his wife 35/-. He had been paying 25/- per week recently. His Worship: Can’t you raise the amount by 10/-. Witness: Can't do it. Mr. Joyce said that in her present state of ‘health Mrs. Grassam could not continue to live on the amount paid. Mrs Grassam said that she was con fined on June 10th. and was at present living with her mother. When she recovered she intended to work. The Magistrate made an order for 35/- adding that it should be reduced when the woman was able to go to work.