WEALTH BRINGS DISCORD

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIX, Issue 21296, 24 September 1932, Page 2 (Supplement)

WEALTH BRINGS DISCORD

HAPPY HOME SPOILED £30,000 SWEEP WINNER HUSBAND SUED BY WIFE A man who won £30,000 in the Irish Sweep on the Grand National, George Herbert Cuffin, of Meadow Farm, Huntington, near Chester, was summoned at Chester Castle Petty Sessions on August 10 for failing to maintain his wife and three children. Mr. W. F. Youde, counsel for Mrs. Cuflin, said that when the parties were married in 1927 she was a widow with eight children. The husband's success in the Irish Sweep had obviously affected his outlook on life. Since that time he bad been drinking heavily and had frequently ill-treated his wife. Cuffin had made no contributions to -maintain his wife and family since' June 22, said Mr. Youde. On that day lie came to the house and at night there was a severe thunderstorm. Cuffin, who was the worse for drink, assaulted his wife, threatened to shoot her, and to break her neck. As a consequence his wife and three children had to leave the house. Mr. Youde then described an incident alleged to have occurred when Mrs. Cuffin went to see a house her husband was building at Chester. She went with a

daughter and Cuffin ordered her away and threw the daughter's bicycle out of the field. Mrs. Cuffin, in evidence, said: " I know this: there was more comfort without the money than with it. I wish he had never won it." Mr. J. A. Behn (defending) : Did you say to your husband, lam not going to work. I am going to be a lady?"— No. What have you done with the £2OO he gave you ?—I have spent it on clothes that he has damaged. 1 suggest that he allowed you £lO a week ?—No, it was £5. Mrs. Cuffin said that her husband gave one of his sons £IO,OOO and a daughter £IOOO. Mr. Behn: You have not told the Bench that he gave one of your daughters a wedding present of £450. Cuffin, in evidence, said that at his marriage he was a widower with three grownup children. They were living happily until the money came. He then allowed his wife £lO a week and gave her £2OO to invest. Mr. Behn: Why did you leave home ? Because she had a house full of daughters and they would not work. Mr. Behn: They wanted you to keep them ?—Yes. Cuffin said that he offered his wife's daughters £1 a week each to pick gooseberries but they would not accept it. The whole of the trouble was caused by their interference. Defendant denied the allegations that he threatened to shoot or hurt his wife. He was prepared to have his wife and the three younger children home. He also denied assaulting his wife. The Bench made an order of £2 a week in respect of the wife and 10s each in respect, of the three children.