ORDER FOR MAINTENANCE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIII, Issue 19383, 19 July 1926, Page 12

ORDER FOR MAINTENANCE.

SHIP'S COOK IN TROUBLE.

CONVICTION FOR DRUNKENNESS. An application for a separation and maintenance order against her husband, Albert Napier Wallace, aged 41, was made by Rhoda Wallace in the Police Court on Saturday on the ground that he was an habitual inebriate and had been guilty of persistent cruelty. Wallace was at the same time charged with being drunk in Cook Street. He pleaded not guilty to the charge of drunkenness but said lie would consent to an order for maintenance.

A constable said he arrested accused, who was staggering up the road. Sergeant Calwell said accused was drunk when brought to the watch house. This was his third offence within six months.

The magistrate, Mr. Hunt, convicted accused and fined him £1 or three days' imprisonment. * . Mrs. Wallace said her husband went home drunk practically every night. She had been married 11 years and there were three children, the oldest being nine years old. The Magistrate: Does he give you any money ?Of course he doesn't. The Magistrate: How much do you want ?—Three pounds a week. Wallace said he had obtained a position as chef on the steamer Tofua last Wednesday. He would receive £ll 6s a month and had already had an allotment order made against his wages in favour of his wife. He could not take out a prohibition order as it would prevent him from obtaining employment at an hotel.

The magistrate made an order for £2 5s a week, and said he would not fine accused for drunkenness as it would only injure his wife. Accused was, therefore, convicted and discharged on this count.