CASUAL HUSBAND.

Hawera Star, Volume XLVI, 1 May 1926, Page 5

CASUAL HUSBAND.

NEGLECTS HIS WIFE.

(BY TELEGBAPH PEESS ASSOCIATION > DUNEDIN, April 29. An unusual case, involving a claim lor separation, maintenance allowance and provision for an unborn baby against Joseph Hugh Jones, also known as Joe Arnold, a player in the orchestra at the exhibition cabaret, came before Mr. J. R. Bartholomew, S.M., to-day in the Police Court. Jones had married a rather prepossessing young Willing ton lady two months ago, who proceeded to her home shortly after her marriage to await his return to Wellington. Jones, however, as bis wife’s counsel said, “treated the matter as a joke,” and did not even take the trouble to open letters sent to him by his wife, admitting he had burned them without reading the contents.

It was stated that Jones was earning £9 10s a week at the cabaret, but out of £228 which he had received he said he had only £2O left. He admitted sending a telegram to his wife stating that if she came to Dunedin lie would not recognise her. Defendant’s counsel said Jones had been badly advised by “bush lawyers” in regard to his responsibility to his wife, but under cress-examination lie refused to divulge the nature or source of his advice. He was going to Australia at the close of the exhibition.

The magistrate said the defendant had behaved in an off-hand, not to say heartless, manner. He had had a splendid chance of getting together a nice little nest egg during the exhibition

■Mr. Irwin (for complainant) : “And we think he has.” *

The magistrate said it was not likely he had dissipated all his wages, and made an order for separation and maintenance at £2 10s per week. When the wife’s circumstances altered the matter could be brought before the court again. He also ordered the defendant to pay £3 3s solicitor’s fees and to deposit forthwith £SO as security.