KANNY KENT.

NZ Truth, Issue 158, 27 June 1908, Page 6

KANNY KENT.

Everybody Wfrks but Father!

The case of Thopas Kent, of Uhristcliurch, presents ficuliar aspects. Ever - since he was discharged from the railway service eight monps ago he , has refused to toil, and sits&rcuind m a contemplative fashion on Jhe premises Avhfle the. wife and three y<jing children hustle frantically for a crusj. Everybody works bufr father, \ and if it \ere not for tbje contributions of the eldeij hoys, destitution would stalk daily abo^ the ho'nse, and grim Want would pok^ his nose m occasionally. . Mary. Kent the missus, an active, eloquent little laly, got sick of Thomas's objection to hqiest work, and, through Solicitor Donnely, sued for summary separation and, maintenance m the S.M. Court on Tuesday. She said there were four children uidfer the age of" sixteen howling daily t^ be fed, but father had cut off all suppies and had joined -• the non-producers g'nerally. The % man was v possessed of 2C acres oiffair land and even now had or £70 m his possession, £30 of wheh ' had been drawn under the superannuation scheme. The last sum of money of an: size received from him was £2 m Number, and he HAD CONTjfj NOTHING SINCE,

except a fei t^ shillings for loaves of bread. Eve 1 [Twer couldn't do without bread. fsoiMagistrat fee pop : Do you wish for a separation fentjj sir. A son of fee inhappy pair stated that Pa refused j otp anything whatever towards the j amjnance of the house. His Word ft j<Why. won't he? What is his reaso« a i won't work. ■ What W j sullo all day ?— He stops at home aiy j byaxound the hquse. Mrs J$ (c 'lestioned further, said the man Avas( ho^6 and well able 1 ; to work. Question* ' foyio whether he was right m his m] jcipe couldn't give an opinion. His Wo| J Maid he didn't see how the woman "vf |. ojing to live and Support the children Llrojs than' £1 a week. If the man didnTi v^r O rk, his Worship; presumed he would hae to go and raise money' ou his property to support , his family. The separation ; r der was granted/ and tho weekly athfint mentioned is to be paid by Kent. _ • j ' »