A DOMESTIC DOG-FIGHT.

NZ Truth, Issue 139, 15 February 1908, Page 5

A DOMESTIC DOG-FIGHT.

BELL'S BOTHER ABOUT BOODLE. Biffed Out by a Wealthy Wife. He had the Miseries of a Bachelor. The wedded misery of \vuAiam Hodgson Bell, a range-maker, and his missus Mary A,nn has occasioned considerable disturbance' m the l family circle of late,- and when Mary Aim sued her Hodgy for the maintenance of four infant children, the parties spoke of eaoh other with considerable scorn •m -Wellington Magistrate's Court. The woman alleged that the man was earning £3 6s a week and was being paid for all holidays, but he had refused to ante up anything for his children's keep since the beginning of • September last, and his contribution- prior to that date, was inadequate. The lady admitted to Mr Jackson; for the defence, that she had tL property worth ■■ £800, although counsel placed the value at £1000 or more. ' It was- purchased by Mr Bell ?— ■1 don't know so much about that J I helped to work for it. Mary Ann *said that m addition to the residence at Wharepori-street, Newtown, where she was residing rent free,: another cottage was, bringing her 'm 12s a week rent. (The eldest youngster:, aged 17, was earning £1 12s 6d a week, and contributed 17s to the household exes. Other youngsters sold the "Evening Qftost" for a crust, and mother superintended the- males', but the revenue from this source didn't reach £1 a week. Did .not the trouble- start because you would .continue j delivering papers arid neglected <your . home ?— I never neglected my home. ..'■-/ Mr Bell is a hard-working man, I believe ?~-Oh, yes (scornfully) ; he is., He used to" give you all his money, did he not ?-Hc gave me £3 a week and then reduced it, to £2. . When you took proceedings to'obtain a separation order you bad A GOOD BANKING} ACCOUNT ?— A little. ■ ■■'■"'■ How muoh 7-r-About £50., What have you got m the bank now? —Oh, £40 or £50.. ' Will you swear it is not £150 ?— Yes ; it would be a little more than £50. £60 ?— There's no use telling lies about it ; here's over £100 tber©, (Laughter.) • . . . , £150 ?— No. £140 ?— No, There might be between £120 and £130. - „ : • It was like pulling a tooth to get this doubtful' information from the plaintiff.- The lady also had. a section 132 ft. 'deep which she had planted m a reproductive way. . . Mr Bell purchased this property m your name, 1 , then out goes the husband ?— No.- He used to come home the worse for liquor every night, and cursing and swearing m front -of , the children, and he had money to spend on billiards and" racehorses. Mar-" Ann paused to take .breath, and his Worship got a word of discouragement iii edgeways. : It was submitted by Lawyer Jackson that eleven years ago Bell pur-^ chased a property, m his wife's name .whteh was now worth £1000 (the property, not the name) . Having: aoquired the' wealth— like the . conducts of many women trusted m similar circumstances— Oiit ■went the husband, •who was now sued for maintenance despite the fact that the wife- was now better off than her inferior half. It was suggested that when Bell had provided a property such mas that described he had done sufficient for his family. At one period, when he was m business, Bell had given his wife \as much as' £B. a week, and it was Ms money that was. tanked and devoted to the purchase of the property. The trouble had T>een caused by Mary Ann, who PERSISTED IN SELLtNUr PAPERS when there was no necessity for suoh a hQwling occupation, • as . Hodgson was providing sufficient for the family. • ' -..•.::■ Bell stated m evidence that he had ceased contributing cash m September because he was served with the summons at that time, and he had given her £2 a week for / two years prior to that unpleasant happening. The instinct which inspired his missus to sell • newspapers caused him pain" and was responsible for gross neglect of the household duties; Bell had done his own mending for years. His beautiful wife had actually refused to wash her devoted husband's shirt, and .that long-suffering individual had to go out and buy a new under-garmen.t to maintain his , .respectability before the world. The inconsiderate woman wanted to go to the' F/xhftvition, and hubby: took on the 'job of looking after things inner absence. One of tlje boys also desir"ed to see Munro's mammoth row of shops, and the accommodating. Bell took on the boy's paper-delivering duties m his absence. When the missus returned the excitement of paper-; bawling appealed to her sensibilitiesto such an extent that she persisted m the daily yell t6 the discomfort of Pell, 'who remonstrated, and as the missus was secure m the owner-? -shin of Rell's. property, .she didn't care if Bell liked it- or( lumped it, and whrin be lumped it she sued him for mnintenance. Tenderhearted people will feel some sympathy >f or Bell. . ' 'x^-he cert» inly got the . meals, but she wouldn't dish up, your Worship," remarked Bell, with feeling^ "I had ALL THE : MIS^RTOS OF A BACHELOR, as well as all the miseries of a married man. 1 ! Bell made no mention of the compensations of marriage. MaG;i.straJ%-^?i(UIell remarked that it was aft^unsatisfactory case. The wife was not destitute, but had property* and although there was. some liability on the part of the husband the wifft should also contribute . her share towards the support of the children.. If the husband was ordered to give anytViins his payments would be contingent- upon the children ceasing to work. When both parents were m good fcpnlth, were possessed of property^ and had roonev m the bank', it was rirtirnlniis that childrpn under the acre of.fnnrtepn years should be exnpcfpr? to sell papers at nierht for a •living. He ordered the payment by 801 lof 6s towards the support of each nf f*e 'mir children, but if the delivery of nanprs by the youngsters was continued Bp^l could .bring the -matter before AW Hnurt again, when the order would cease. ;