MAGISTRATE’S COURT

Greymouth Evening Star, 3 December 1934, Page 2

MAGISTRATE’S COURT

TO-DAY’S .GREYMOUTH SITTING. At the Magistrate’s Court, Greymouth, to-day, only one case was dealt with. Joseph Johnston (Mr W. P. McCarthy) applied for the variation of a maintenance order, and the remission of arrears. Mr McCarthy stated that the order was varied last March, from 12/6 to 7/6 per week, tor three months. The payments were made during the three months, but Johnston then lost his employment. He was unemployed in August and September, and, on October 15, went “on the dole.” He was now receiving 17/6 per week, and was married, with one child. . It seemed impossible to pav off the arrears (£35/1/- to November 20) and their remission . was asked for, also that the oidei be reduced to 7/6 per week In reply, to Senior-Sergeant E. Quavle, who appeared for the Education Department, Johnston denied that he had made up his mind not to pav, and said he could not pay more than he had done. He was willing to take the child, hut the Department would not. allow him to. have it. He went to Christchurch about three mouths ago, but the trip was not a holiday. His wife’s mother was seriously ill;, and they were sent for. He had built a small house, but had worked at the Omoto si&vmill, to pay off the timber. He had secured 17 days’ work at the mill during the past three months. He had a. fortnight s work in view at-the mill, but did not know whether the job would continue after Christmas. He had done prospecting work, when he was not working “on the dole.” He received l</6 for two days per week under the unemployment scheme, and was rated as a married man with two children. The Senior-Sergeant said that the child in the care of the Department had to he kept. He thought that Johnston could pay more than he was doing. Arrears amounting to £3b were remitted last March. Mr H. Morgan, S.M., said -that he was not satisfied with Johnston’s evidence. He had undertaken responsibility in connection with the house, and had had work. The arrears would be remitted, with the exception ot £lO, and the order would be reduced to 10/- per week, for three months.