A WIFE’S EXTRAVAGANCE IN CLOTHES.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 1696, 31 August 1904, Page 38 (Supplement)

A WIFE’S EXTRAVAGANCE IN CLOTHES.

‘‘How many blouses does a lady require?” was a problem which a jury in the London Law Courts were asked to solve recently. Messrs Swan and Edgar, Piccadilly Circus, sought to recover ,£56 from -Mr William Reginald Palgrave, a city solicitor, living at Avenue House, Sunbury. 1 H© objected to pay on the ground ihat he did not give his wife authority to pledge his credit, and that the articles were not necessaries. Mr Dickens, K.C., for the defendant, said Mr Palgrave’s marriage had not been a happy one, and he had had to enter a petition for divorce. Defendant allowed his wife £6O a year for dress and pettyexpenses. The plaintiff’s account, which was put in showed the following items bought between 4th September and 26th October. 1903:

Eight blouses, £ll 12s 4d. Pour dresses, £2l. Two hats, £6 3s. Five pairs of hose. Seven pairs of gloves. Three pairs of boots and shoes. Mr Justice Ridley—-What does “haby” mean? Plaintiff’s Manager—Short for haberdashery. Mr Palgrave in the box gave a list of things his wife had in her wardrobe when she gave the order at the plaintiff’s. They included: 28 Blouses. 8 Dresses. 10 Hats. 13J Pairs of hose. 19 Pairs of gloves. 7 Pairs of boots. 5 Pairs of shoes. Eva Hayward, a maid, said Mrs Palgrave hardly ever were anything a second time, A jury found that credit was given to the husband without his knowledge, and that the articles were not necessaries. Judgment for defendant, with costs.