DESERTED ON WEDDING DAY

Greymouth Evening Star, 19 July 1939, Page 9

DESERTED ON WEDDING DAY

ALLEGATION OF JOCKEY’S WIFE. LONDON, June 3. Mrs Girvan Eileen Caroline Smirke, of Eastbourne-mews, Paddington, W., wife of Charles Smirke, the jockey, was sued at Kingston-on-Thames Co’intj- Court, yesterday, by Bentalls Ltd., of Kingston, for £4/17/6, cost of a removal. Mrs Smirke denied liability on the ground that she was entitled to pledge the credit of her husband. Mr J. P. Williams, for Bentalls, said that on Mrs Smirke’s telephone instructions her goods were removed from Epsom to Paddington. An account and two letters were sent, but nothing was heard. No defence was filed until Thursday. Mrs Smirke, giving evidence, said that she married Charlie Smirke last; August. He deserted her the samei day. There had been reconciliations, | but he finally deserted her in January, and had paid her no money since- I Her husband had told her that his income was about £B,OOO a :>ear. He received a retainer of £2,000 a year, in addition to 10 per cent, on all win-; ning mounts, from the Aga Khan.

Mr E. Evans, defending: Did you j think you were pledging your hus- ; band’ credit when you gave the order'—l thought ho would pay for it. At the present time proceedings are pending between you and your i husband with regard to divorce?—Yes. > j You moved' from Epsom because ’ you could not afford to keep up the > house?—Yes. i •*i Mrs Smirke said that she was now 3 ;>. cabaret artist ,and earned' £8 a* *- week, but. her expenses were heavy. I Sho had to dress well, to pay £2 a ‘ week for her flat, £1 a week for her 5. maid, and to hire a car at about £2 a I week because she went to business in 1' evening dress and returned home late. Mr Evans submitted that Mrs Smirke Ijwas entitled to pledge her husband’s ■j credit for necessaries. She was left -I destitute at Epsom and had to go to > London. I The Registrar, Mr J. S. Bell, said he lj was not satisfied that the removal was •i a necessity. He gave judgment for i.the plaintiffs for the amount claimed, . [ to be paid at the rate of £ 1 a month.