WIVES WHO DANCE.

Matamata Record, Volume VII, Issue 580, 10 November 1924, Page 3

WIVES WHO DANCE.

LEAVING HUSBANDS AT HOME. A Magistrate's Advice. Dancing wives with non-dancing husbands wore the subject of a little discourse given by Mr. E. C. Cutten, S.M., at Auckland, when, dunng a maintenance case, it was shown that much of the unhappiness that had entered the lives of the couplo concerned resulted from the fact that tho wife went to dances whilo the husband, who did not indulge in the terpischorean art, stayed at home. Rachael Jane Edwards (Mr King) claimed from Henry Edwards (Mr B'ryce Hart) maintenance, separation and guardianship orders. There was one child of the marriage, a daughter, aged nine years. Applicant alleged persistent cruelty on part of the husband. In her examination in chief Mrs Edwards alleged that her husband had assaulted her one ntght as she was coming home from a dance with another man. She stated that the defendant had always been jealous of he?.

Mr. Hart: That's the disadvantage of having a good-looking wife.

After his cross-examination, m which the applicant admitted certain things, Mr Hart contended that persistent cruelty had not been proved, and that, as the husband had given tho woman all his wages and was willing to take her back, the complaint should be dismissed.

The Magistrate, in giving his decision, said that there was no evidence before him on which he could make an order for separation, but he would like to say a word or two to the parties. To tho husband he would say, that he should remember that his wife was not in good health. This would effect her attituao Towards liim, and he should make allowances accordingly. To the wife Mr Cutten would also draw attention to what had been disclosed in the evidence. She was fond of dancing. Her husband did not dance, but with his leave she had gone to many dances. This had not been pleasing to the husband, and was the cause of the trouble between them. She should remember tTtnt the evidence had disclosed that this had led to happenings which had given the husband real cause for complaint. "It is also advisable to remember." concluded Mr Cutten, "that there is a distinction between pleasure and happiness, and happiness can be attained only by mutual consideration for each other's wishes." No order was made.