CALLOUS WIFE DESERTER

New Zealand Herald, Volume LI, Issue 15660, 14 July 1914, Page 8

CALLOUS WIFE DESERTER

STARVING CHILDREN. EXEMPLARY SENTENCE. [BY TEIEOKAPH.—OWN CORRESPONDENT.] Palmerston North, Monday. A.v unusual case of wife desertion came before Mr. J. W. Poynton, 8.M., at the Magistrate's Court -ihis morning, when a man named James Henry Howard was charged with leaving New Zealand in February Inst with. the intention of failing to make adequate- provision for the maintenance of his four children. The ages of the children ranged from seven to two years. "This caso," said Sub-In-spector MarsacS, "is a very sad one, and rather peculiar. It appears that the accused lived with his wife until January of this year, when he went away, it is said, with another woman to New South Wales. He left his wife with four children practically destitute. His wife's mother assisted her for a time, and she ovontually had to take up a position as a waitress at 25s per week. This, however, was not enough, to keep a house and children on, and during the time .the prisoner has been away we have Been assisting the children and the district nurse has also been aiding them. The children were in a state of semi-starva-tion. Upon representations being made to the Government, it went to tho expense of £25 to £30 to bring the accused back. He was arrested near Dubbo, in New South Wales, and escaped from custody, but was later rearrested. Since his return, I havo asked him what bo intends to do, but ho takes up a stubborn attitude and does not seem to care whether his wife and children are supported or not. The position, of course, is that the children are now practically thrown upon the State, unless the accused makes some provision."

The accused was sentenced to six months' imprisonment.