NO ORDER MADE.

NZ Truth, Issue 217, 21 August 1909, Page 10

NO ORDER MADE.

A Darby and Joan Jolt. Hannah and James Talbot have xearcd a family together, but entered the autumn o! life by separate paths after travelling m company during the best part of their lives. The subject, was ventilated by an application m Christchurch S.M. Court for a variation of an order .compelling James to contribute 15s pet week towards the support of Hannah, the application being made by Solicitor Beat-tie. It was explained by counsel that Talbot had property when the order was made, and the Court's order was a charge on that property, but Talbot had other properties which were now mortgaged to the full amount, ami as he derived nothing from them he had no money, and was now destitute. Things had come to a climax, N a#d counsel supposed the order would have to be enforced and the • property sold < to 'satisfy the same. The wife was really better off than hubby, as she derived an income from keeping a boarding-house. In the witness-box Talbot said he had been abJe to pay np until recently, and was now £6 m arrears. He had been able to pay m the past principally by borrowing on bis other properties. HAs wife occupied a property belonging to him, and for which she was paying 35s per week to the agents, Baker Bros. Of this sum Talbot got 10s, 15s being returned to the wife under th« order oi the "Court. The property was mortgaged for £600, the in^eswH upon which. wa« £14 per year, and this cttargt, 'with rates, «tc, Itft th« property m the position that it tint cleared itfijlT, an* TALBOT GOT NOTHING OUT OF IT. Magistrate Haoelden : How old aro Ton ? —I'm 64 next month. His Worship said that m a year Talbot might get the old age pension unless there were disabilities as to refusing to maintain his wife. Mr Beattie said he didn't refuse \to maintain her. The maintenance was made a charge upon his property by the order of the Court. His Worship said that objection might be taken m the Old Age Pensions Court

to Talbot having so much property. The old man said there were six children, all grown up. He had no occupation now, and could <lo no work, but had i formerly been a ship's steward. Mr Bcattic suggested that the cast might be decided by his Worship when it came before his Worship m another form. He understood that a summons was out against Talbot for the arrears. His Worship: How old is the wife ? • Mrs Talbot : I've turned G4. I've worked hard all my life and my husband never worked before. His Worship : One knows that board-ing-house keepers don't amass great fortunes. The woman would be eligible for the pension presently also. Mr Beattie said the old couple had lived well together till they dissolved partnership and made a muddle of things. The wife: It wasn't my fault. The Magistrate decided to make no order. .