THE WIFE-BEATER.

NZ Truth, Issue 252, 23 April 1910, Page 7

THE WIFE-BEATER.

Drastic Remedies Needed.

Ernest Patterson, a young man, some- j what addicted to liquor, felt his position' keenly when presented before Mr B. C. Cutteh, S.M., at the Auckland Police Court on Thursday last." Patterson had. got- more than "potty" the previous even- J ing, and when he reached borne proceeded to basli the sharer of his joys and, sorrows (mostly the flatter) into msensibil- ' ity. He punched his wife badly and then threatened to use a tomahawk, but; a constable happened along just at that moment and jugged the bejuiced ruffian. The unfortunate woman received a severe, mauling, and was unable to appear at the court. When asked to plead he gurgled "Guilty" to the charges of assault and resisting the police; and the Stipendiary Sent him along for a moou, without the option of a fine. Patterson was leniently dealt with, . and even his drunkenness could not be held to be an excuse lor wanton brutality. The pity is that he is unable to support bis family while -m prison, as che drain that such cases as this put. upon the funds of the Charitable Aid Board is astouishiug. Corporal punishment is no doubt degrading, but if applied to wife beaters it would sunfiy have a salutary effect. As things are at present the ruffian who biffs his wife fattens m gaol, while his unfortunate" wife and family are forced on the Charitable. Aid Board, who cannot afford to dole out more than bare rations to them. In 99 per cent. •of the cases thegaoling of the brutal wife beater means his deserting his family, and a glance at j the court list on "Agony" day (as Friday is known m Auckland) will make it abundantly clear that the wife beater is easily first as the home wrecker and defendant m maintenance cases. Though orders may be made against him, gaol has no terrors for him after the first plunge, and m the majority of cases he Koes. there m preference to supporting his kith and kin. A cure for wife-beating is urgently needed.