MAGISTRATE'S COURT.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LII, Issue 15948, 19 June 1915, Page 5

MAGISTRATE'S COURT.

SEPARATION ORDER GRANTED.

A waterside worker, John Percival Gray, was the respondent in a maintenance case heard in tho Magistrate's Court yesterday before Mr. C. C. Kettle, S.M. The complainant, for whom Mr. C. E. Matthews appeared, tendered evidence to show that her husband was guilty of persistent cruelty towards her. "Work always was a trouble to him," declared tho mother of the complainant, who said that she lived with her daughter and son-in-law in order to protect the former. Respondent admitted that when married in 1906 ho had signed the register under the false namo of "John Percival Marshall." Ho also admitted misconduct, but alleged that his wife was equally unfaithful.

The position of the mother-in-law was subsequently vindicated by tho magistrate giving her the custody of the three children. The separation order was granted, and respondent was ordered to pay 25s a week in support of his wife and children.

AN ORDER CANCELLED. An application for a rehearing of a maintenance case was successfully made by Charles Lewis Douglas (Mr. C. E. Matthews), a cook on a coastal steamer. Respondent explained that when his wife had first brought proceedings against him for the maintenance of herself and child he had been unable to appear in Court. Ho stated, in evidence, that tho allegations made concerning his to his wife were untrue, and had done him considerable harm. The magistrate cancelled the previous order, and the case was adjourned sine die, defendant promising to pay his wife 10s a week in the meantime, and to keep the child in a registered home.