THE GREEN-EYED MONSTER.

NZ Truth, Issue 110, 27 July 1907, Page 6

THE GREEN-EYED MONSTER.

Gibson is " Not Understood." When a woman is separated from ber husband by order of the Court, the disconsolate male is apt to regard ber future with suspicion, that is, if he takes an active interest m bar * after sbe is torn from his arms by the inexorable Court. A cook and baker named David Gibson was summarily separated from bis spouse a month ago, but insisted upon having his meals at his wife's restaurant m Courtenay Place, subsequently. In doing so, he heard , whispers which aroused his jealousy 'against a spruce elderly person named Henry Clarence Salome, who was effecting improvements to the restaurant and also "had his meals there. To Gibson's prejudiced ©ye Salome was assuming an air of proprietorship over tlie whole establishment, tbe missus included, and one evening after fortifying himself with a few beers, .the castoff husband entered the hash factory at tea-time and demanded satisfaction. '

Salome stated m evidence that Gibson accused him of being after bis grass widow, and remarked that Salome was her fancy 'man. There were other confused expressions, including bad; language, 'before he fell on Salome, who sustained nothing more terrible than a scratched face. Gibson had previously made covert remarks about Salome's alleged familiarity with his missus, and the » slandered person aroused him of assault*,, and prayed that be should' enter into sureties to keep the peace.

Mrs Gibson testified that Gibson ■ had . entered and remarked, "Salome, you have got more to do with my wife than I have" ; THEN THE FUN STARTED: Salome was a most respectable' person, and qoiite proper. Gibson : Hasn't Salome been very "authoritive" there ?— I don't think so. Gibson *. An Englishman's home's his castle. a Magistrate Riddell : You must ask questions. j You can't make a statement . Isn't he domineering about the premises ?— No. Didn't he challenge a man m the dining-room out to fight the other morning •?<— The man spoke to him first, and Mr Salome then asked him to go out. Haven't there been "excursions" like that m the dining-room several times ?— He only checked people who were misbehaving. Gibson : Well, I don't think it's his place. His Worship : This is not the time to make a statement. Gibson, when m the box. said that, Salome was taking undue- liberties m the bouse.- He ba^l known him for three years and he had always been a respectable. man. When; he entered m the evening someone was making aspersions about his wife and Salome. Witness then remarked W Salome, "You have got as much to j do with my wife as I have; as I om separated from her. sbe is no wife to me." Gibsofi, said Salome bad mis interpreted the; remark, and had ■ squared up to bim 'and knocked bim Idowm He-sustained a bruised elbow j

and a broken watch.; Witness acknow-* lodged that he had a few drinks m at the time and did mot recollect who was m the room.

The Bench held tbat the assault was not a serious one, and imposed a fine of 10/, with solicitor's fee £1 ; 1/. The application to enter into sureties was dismissed.