MAINTENANCE CASE

Greymouth Evening Star, 27 February 1924, Page 2

MAINTENANCE CASE

A WIFE’S APPLICATION.

Brought from Christchurch, on warrant, Alexander Grant (Mr W. J. Joyce) appeared before Mr W. Meldrum, S.M., at the Magistrate’s Court this morning, charged With disobedience of a maintenance order issued in favour of his wife and children. { The order, which ariiounted to £2 15/ a week, was considerably in arrears, and defendant had served four terms of imprijjohimeht for (failure to comply with the orders from the Court .

Mr Joyce said that the case was one of the unfortunate ones where the man had returned from war service and h|d ,done little good. He found great difficulty in getting employment, and the wife’s attitude in keeping him in gaol had made the position worse. Defendant received a pension of. 10/ a w&ek owing to a war disability, and this he was willing to transfer to his wife. Mrs Grant stated that even when wdrking defendant made no effort to pay. Drink and gambling were the causes of his downfall, and it was his owjri fault that he was out of work. Her parents had suffered much privation through having to support her and her foij.r children, the last of whom defendant had never seen. They had. had to sell the house in which they were living- . ‘Do you think you could make it up?” asked the Magistrate. }‘lt is too serious,” said Mrs Grant. ‘I‘I have made one or two attempts,” saiii Mr Joyce, “but it is quite impossible!” '

‘.‘He would have to change a good deql before I would consider it,” said the wife.

Defendant said he was willing to transfer the pension to his wife and pay her 30/ ; in addition. “These people always promise a lot,” said Mr Joyce. “I think it would be better if defendant undertook r to;pay £l'a week and transfer the pension, and keep to that.” An order was made on those terms, but the wife said that if her husband were ever in a position to pay more she -would have to ask for an increase to support her children. “But half a loaf is better than no bread,” she said.