EX-ARMY MAN AND WIFE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIV, Issue 19762, 8 October 1927, Page 14

EX-ARMY MAN AND WIFE.

COURT GRANTS SEPARATION. Eighteen years ago in India an English army officer married a native woman. In the Police Court yesterday the wife was granted a separation on the grounds of cruelty. The husband was Frederick Arthur Fry, who was proceeded against by his wife, Edith Dorinda Fry (Mr. Leslie Adams). Besides claiming a separation order the wife asked for orders for maintenance and guardianship. In India Fry was a warrant officer in the army. After serving for 21 years he retired on superannuation and came to New Zealand with his wife and children in 1923. There were ten children, eight of whom are living, the eldest being 17 years and the youngest 18 months. Mrs. Fry said she was married in 1909. "My marriage has been very unhappy," she stated in well-spoken English. My husband's trouble is drink. He has beaten me with his fists and has kicked me." Often he had left her. She was very weak and the doctor had told her to go to the hospital for treatment. The husband did not oppose his wife's application, but be denied he was a drunkard, All he asked was to be allowed to see his children sometimes. "You will be allowed to see them," Mr. F. K. Hunt, S.M., said, in granting Mrs. Fry the orders she asked for. Maintenance was fixed at £3 iQs a week*