WOMAN GRANTED ALIMONY.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LX, Issue 18585, 18 December 1923, Page 7

WOMAN GRANTED ALIMONY.

MAN WITHOUT MEANS. A difficult matter was presented to Mr. Justice Stringer in the Supreme Court yesterday afternoon, when he was called upon to fix the amount ,of alimony in a divorce case. Irene Gertrude Coleman (Mr. Dickson) petitioned for permanent maintenance against Harold Eric Coleman (Mr. Singer). . Application was also made that a decree nisi be made absolute. "It is one of^ those difficult cases in which limited means have to- be divided," said counsel, in explaining' the case. Mr. Dickson said the . decree nisi was issued last August on the ground that the parties had been separated for three years by mutual consent. Two children were at present in the custody of the wife under the terms of the separation order. The sum of £2 15s a week had been paid by the husband as maintenance for herself and the children in terms of the Court's order.. The - husband had once received a very good salary in , the iGovernment's employ, ~ but he. evidently now found it a serious matter to keep the payment up. As the wife was destitute except for the money she obtained from, her husband, counsel suggested that the latter should exercise a. declaration'' of trust that the rentals obtained from a house he owned in Coyle Street should fro to the children. "She only wants * sufficient maintenance to keep the wolf from the door," pleaded counsel. T , Mrs. Coleman, in evidence, said she had earned a little monejr by taking a few pupils for musical tuition and by doing a little sewing, but illness prevented her following this course any further. She was now living with • her mother, aged .75 years. < Mr. Singer said the husband had been gassed during the war, and obtained, on his return, a pension of 10$ a week and a position ii? the Pensions Department at '£4 2s 6d a week. He had now lost that position, and was utterly without means. His Honor said that if the husband did not have the moans it was impossible to get it from him. He considered, however, he should give some security. An order was made for permanent maintenance of £2 5s a week, security to he given on the, house. A decree absolute was granted.. "y • * ' -