MARRIED TWO MONTHS

New Zealand Times, Volume LIII, Issue 12434, 30 April 1926, Page 8

MARRIED TWO MONTHS

WIFE SUES FOR SEPARATION TREATED IN HEARTLESS MANNER MUSICIAN AND WELLINGTON GIRL Per Press Association. DUNEDIN, April 29. An unusual case involving a claim for separation and maintenance allowance and provision for an unborn baby against Joseph Hugh Jones, also known as Joe Arnold, a player in the orchestra at the Exhibition Cabaret, came before Mr J. R. Bartholomew, S.M., to-day in the Police Court. Jones had married rather a prepossessing young Wellington lady two months ago, who proceeded to her home shortly after her marriage to await his return to Wellington. Jones, however, as his wife’s counsel said., “treated the matter as a joke,” and did not even take the trouble to open the letters sent to him by his wife. He admitted he had burned them without, reading the contents. It was stated that Jones was earning £9 10s a week at the cabaret, hut out of £228 received he said he had only £2O left. He admitted sending a telegram to his wife stating that if she came to Dunedin he would not recognise her. BADLY ADVISED Defendant’s counsel" said he had been badly advised by “busli lawyers”' in regard to his responsibility to his wife, but under cross-examination he refused to divulge the nature or source of his advice. He was - going to Australia at the conclusion of the Exhibition. The magistrate said the defendant behaved off-hand, not to say in a heartless manner. He had a splendid chance of getting together a nice little nest egg during the Exhibition. Mr Irwin (for complainant): And we think he has. The magistrate said it was not likely that he dissipated all his wages. He made an order for separation and maintenance at the rate of £2 10s a week, and when the wife’s circumstances altered the matter could he brought before the court again. His Worship also ordered the defendant to pay £3 Ss solicitors’ fees, and to deposit forthwith £SO as security.