A WIFE WHO MADE JOKES.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLIX, Issue 14925, 24 February 1912, Page 9

A WIFE WHO MADE JOKES.

THREATS TO BE A BIGAMIST. HUSBAND GOT"' A WEEK'S NOTICE." An extraordinary case was heard at tho Magistrate's Court yesterday, by Mr. C. C. Kettle, S.M. It was an application by Margaret Harrison for a separation order, her husband, Charles Arthur Harrison, being charged with failing to provide for her maintenance. Mr. Scott-Smith appeared for tho complainant, and Dr. Barnford for tho defendant, who was not present. Dr. Bamford said that, this was the third summons which had been applied, for. The others had been at. once struck out. when they were defended. On the last occasion evidence was taken in Wellington, and as soon as it was forwarded tho plaint case, was abandoned. Mr. Scott-Smith said that the case was abandoned because offers had been made towards a settlement. The defendant, was in a position to provide well for his wife, being tho proprietor of the Royal Hotel, in Wellington: This case might be abandoned later, in view of possible divorce proceedings. Plaintiff's Ample Means. The plaintiff, brightly dressed in blue and wearing a heavy veil, went into th* box and gave her evidence with the air oi knowing that right was,all on her side. She said she had three children. One was with her, and the other two were with their father. She left homo two and ahalf years ago. Her husband had not sent her any money since she left. Sho had been living on what he had 'given Ivor, and what she had saved during preceding years, a total of about £1500. Dr. Barnford and the magistrate had some difficulty in finding out how ranch ol the money was left. Sho did not know, she said, because she had not counted it. It was all at home—a few pounds a clerk could count it if it was desired. Finally sho said, in reply to many questions, that two or three months ago she drew out from the bank all that was left. That was about £700. She had spenl some of it, and there was probably about £500 remaining. Mx. Kettle: It wouldn't be fair to asP you whore you keep it* Somebody might go and count it. It's very risky to keej so much money in tho house. In reply to further crops-examinatior witness admitted that when she was ir Wellington somo time ago, she stayed al the best, hotels, and drove about in motor cars. /It was no crime; ahe had the monej to spend. Further, she admitted thai when she left her husband she gave hiir " a, week's notice," so that he could gel somebody to look after the children. A Joke About Marrying Again. Dr. Bamford put in a letter, admitted by tho witness to havo been written bj her to her husband. In it she said: " ]

have made up my mind to get married. My future husband understands the position, and wo leave it to your dishonour to get me imprisonment for bigamy. You will have to keep the children." Witness: That was all a joke. He would understand that. Dr. Bamford: And carrying the joke still further, you telegraphed to your daughter on January 21, 1910, "Marrying to-day, at church; kisses. Mother." Witness: That was a joke too. Is there anything wrong with it? Dr. Bamford: Perhaps it is only a, joke that you are proceeding against your husband now! Witness: Oh, no. This is serious. Why She Wanted the Order. The lady then admitted that she had been to eight solicitors in Auckland with the case, and could not tell why they had refused to act. But that accounted for the muddle. She abandoned the last summons because she would have preferred a divorce. Now eho could not get a separation order. Mr. Kettle: What do you want one for? Mrs. Harrison: Because I can't live with him. Mr. Kettle: Well, you're not living with him. He's not molesting you. What do you want it for? Witness: So that he can't molest me. Under further cross-examination, she stated that he? children had always wanted her to go home; her husband had asked her once, but she would not go for all th« wealth in th© world. She admitted having borrowed £30 from the grocer, and £5 from another man, when she left home, and her husband had bad to pay it back. An argument ensued as to her right to have the other two of the children. She claimed that she should have them, and said that her husband could only havo the third one by using force. The magistrate said no harm could be done by postponing the matter till the complainant had appealed to the Supremo Court for the divorce. The complainant said that she had given her husband £500 when they married. She had made up her mind to get it back and a little extra.

The Case Dismissed. The magistrate said that on the evidence he was not prepared to make an order. The complainant was not destitute ; nor was he satisfied that she was not being maintained, or that there was any persistent cruelty. If she wished the matter to be thoroughly and fairly investigated she had better go to Wellington to the Supreme Court. She ha/1 ample money to go. He would not make an order for costs unless it was clear that the proceedings were vexatious. The case would bo dismissed without prejudice. Mrs. Harrison: Does that mean I don't get a separation or the children? Mr. Kettle: You don't get anything. You .go away empty-handed on this application. Mrs. Harrison: Oh, thank you- very much.