UNHAPPY MARRIED LIFE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LVI, Issue 17254, 2 September 1919, Page 5

UNHAPPY MARRIED LIFE.

ALLEGATIONS OF CRUELTY.

WIFE SECURES SEPARATION. [IX TELEGRAPH.—OWN COKUESPONDKNT. ]

HAMILTON. Monday. The story of 25 years of unhappy married life was related to Mr. H. A. Young, S.M., in. the Magistrate's Court to-day by Margaret Ryan (Mr. Lnxford), who applied for a separation order against her husband, John Thomas Ryan, on the ground of persistent cruelty. Applicant said she had been married 25 years, and there had been eight children. Her married life had been very unhappy because of her husband's jealousy, and his assaults upon her. On one occasion he injured her face, and she was in the hospital for three weeks. Her husband was imprisoned for this, and while he was in gaol her son provided for her. When her son went to calnp her husband le turned. He was frequently accusing her of having men in the house, and said he would nail up the dOor to prevent them entering. On their return to Hamilton from Wanganui her husband was drinking heavily, and one night he swungi a bottle of beer round her head, "and threatened to kick her brains out. Witness then left him. and a little later commenced proceedings against him, but in consequence of her husband's pleadings she withdrew them, and Jived with him again. One evening he came • home drunk, and struck her on the arm. He used obscene language, and was arrested. Next day witness left him. Subsequently, he met her, and said that if she did not answer certain questions about men by the next day he would murder her. He also watched the house she was living in, and she then commenced the present proceedings. Since March she had received only about £1 from him. A son gave corroborative evidence. On oath the defendant denied the accusations generally, and said he had always treated his wife well. A separation order was granted, and defendant, was ordered to pay £1 per week to his wife, and 10s per week for each of two children.