Wife justified in Leaving Husband

Manawatu Times, Volume 64, Issue 96, 26 April 1939, Page 7

Wife justified in Leaving Husband

MAGISTRATE GRANTS SEPARATION

Holding that as a result of Per husband’s attitude in the home, Mrs. Elizabeth Campbell Piesso was justified in leaving him, Mr. H. P. Lawry, S.M., granted her a separation with maintenance iu tho Palmerston North Magistrate’s Court yesterday. The Piesse case had come before his Worship on several occasions, adjournments being granted in an endeavour to 'enable tho husband and wife to adjust their differences, which the wife claimed were .largely due to the religious views of Piesse. Yesterday, her counsel, Mr. A. M. Ongley, said matters had not improved and Mrs. Piesse was breaking down under the strain. Piesse had allowed her 15s a week but refused to have anything to do with her and refused her any amus-ement. She and a daughter had arranged to buy a wireless set for their entertainment while Piesse was out at night attending meetings but he had gone to tho firm and cancelled the order. H'e would not allow tho wireless in tho house. The whole of his life seemed to be confined to reading the Bible and going to his meetings.

The Magistrate: If ho takes up that attitude I must hold that she is justified in not staying there. Mr. L. Laurenson, counsel for tho husband, Charles Darwin Piesse, gas fitter, of Palmerston North, said it was unfortunate the parties were unable to agree. As far as the wireless was concerned, she could get other amusements. The Magistrate: 110 is only driving his wife out and doing it deliberately. L have managed to get Mrs. Piesse to a reasonable attitudo as far as his demands aro concerned and now ho imposes others and no woman would accept them. Piesse entered the witness box to state that he had tried to get his wife to take a little more interest in the home but she wouldn't take it. Ho had paid her “so much” per week. The Magistrate; You were .to allow her 15s a week for personal needs and something in addition for household expenses. That seems to have been complied with. Piesse: She wouldn’t take any interest iu the house. The Magistrate: What about the wireless set 9 Piesse: While I was out the wireless was introduced and attached to the lighting system which is much more expensive. Tho Magistrate: How much more? Piesse: About four times as great. The Magistrate: Do you know how much current a wireless set takes? Piesse: Not the slightest. The Magistrate: Then why do you say it is much more expensive? Piesse: I think it was done to be nasty. The Magistrate: Why did you order it out? To be nasty too? Piesse: As head of the house I think I should have some say in what goes on. The Magistrate (to Mr. Laurenson): It is no use my hearing this man any more. Right throughout he has been obstructive. The separation Mrs. Piesse asked for was granted and maintenance fixed at £3 a week.