MAN AND WIFE

New Zealand Times, Volume XLIX, Issue 11226, 3 June 1922, Page 11

MAN AND WIFE

CHARGE OF TRESPASS “I WILL NOT BE ALONE ON MARCH 26th." HUSBAND “STILL ALIVE.’’ Charles Grayndler, the secretary of the New Zealand branch of the Australian Workers’ Union at Wellington, was prominent in a summons case heard before Mr F. K. Hunt, S.M., in the Magistrate's Court yesterday,' when, on the information of his wife,' Elizabeth Grayndler, he was proceeded against for committing an offence under the Destitute Persons Act, in that, being separated from his wife by an order of the court, he did trespass upon the house occupied by the informant. Mr T. C. A. Hislop appeared for the informant, and Mr J. Scott for the defendant. Mr Hislop at the outset said! that the man had gone to the house occupied by his wife, created a disturbance and then forcibly ontered the window, it. being neoossary for the informant to dispatch her son for the police. FORCED HIS WAY IN. Mrs Elizabeth Grayndler said she bad previously secured a separation order against her husband ana went to live' at College street. On the night inquestion, April 22nd, at about 11 p.in„ she heard a noise on the verandah and asked who was there. The reply wan “Me." He forced his way through the window and was too strong for her. He wanted to know why Bhe should live in his house wifah all the comfort, while he could not live there. He said he was going to sell his house. "You have a man in your room" he told her, but when he got inside, found that it was not so. He abused her as he always did. She sent, her young eon to the police. Later the man again returned and said, “You see I am still alive,” but he did not attempt to enter again. "ONLY HUMAN.’’ To Mr Scott: She had sub-let the house with the defendant’s consent. She had property, but she got nothing from it. She admitted l writing to the defend-, ant saying. "I have made up my mind not to be alone on Maroh 26th. . . . I am not the onlv one who feels lonely. . . . lam only human." She saidit was a letter to her husband, and refused to say anything further in that regard. A YOUNG "LADY” FRIEND. Evidence was given by the young son, Charlie Grayndler, that lie had boon sent to bring tue police. The only other person his mother’s honse was a young lady, who was to stay thero until she procured work. Police evidence wag given to the effect that when the police arrived the man showed signs of liquor. FOUR SEPARATION ORDERS. In the box the defendant said the order had been made while he was in Australia. No fewer than four separation orders had been made, but on the previous three occasions he had access to the children, which, however, was debarred him singe the last order. The complainant- waa eub-letting the house against the defendant's wish. He did not approve of certain people who were at the house of hie wife. In fact he had "thrown out a. person of ill repute." It was in the interests of his children that led him to take action. On the night in question he simply, went to the house, knocked at the door and it was opened by M* wife- He went into the room ana kissed his children. At this time the woman referred to by the defendant’s eon came into the room, fully- ’dwfcdddr ~His wife took exception to the defendant’s presence and the police were summoned, witness ex. pressing a desire to stay. On lus return from Australia he had •heard of certain things and went to the house at 11 o’clock at night to see for himself. A STRANGE LETTER. Mr Scott said that after hearing t.he case they would plead guilty. Defendant did not deny being at the place, but wished to stress the reasons which had actuated his movements. Counsel raised the point that the letter written by hie wife was certainly a strange one to be written by a respectable married woman. He asked that the magistrate fix a definite time for the defendant to see his children. After hearing the evidence, the magistrate said he believed the evidence of the wife in preference to that of the defendant. The wife had said tibßt the man had entered the room through the, window; lie believed this statement. A fine of £5 was imposed, the alternative being fixed at three months’ lmpnsonm"i*’won’t pay," remarked Grayndler, from his seat beside counsel. "Very well,” said the magistrate, you can take it out.” , Grayndler: I came to the oourt for protection, but I am not getting a fair hearing. „ , , The magistrate: Now, don t bo impudent, or I will send you up for seven days without another word. The magistrate fixed the time for seeing his children at 2.30 on Saturdays. "What chance have I .got to see them.) sir, under thoee conditions? • • • I. might be away in Auckland saidl Grayndler. He suggested that the timer be fixed at between four and five p.m. The magistrate stated that the woman could not very well disengage herself from domestic duties at such an awkward, time each afternoon. If the man really wanted to eee his children he would make an endeavour to comply with the order. Counsel for the defendant thought that at all events the woman might have been a bit more reasonable.