SHE FAMILY HISTORY.

NZ Truth, Issue 405, 29 March 1913, Page 6

SHE FAMILY HISTORY.

Brown, Boardman and Calvert What Rumors Led To. A Scrap After the Mission. (From "Truth's'A Christchurch Rep).

A complete history of Mrs." Florence Boardman's domestic -troubles would .fill a fair- sized novel, and, if not interesting to those unacquainted -with her, '-would ac least provide a considerable amount at sensational reading. As it is, Christchurch's court records contain a good deal of the history m question-, and more was added to it on Wednesday. Florence's maiden name was Brown, and her mother, Mrs. Brown, is AN OLD-AGE PENSIONER m the cathedral city. For some reason or another, mother and daughter do not bit it off, as appeared on Wednesday, but the reason therefor was not disclosed. Some 15 years or so ago, Florence was married to a man, since deceased, by whom she had a son and a daughter, the latter a pretty and intelligent little girl of 14, around whom Wednesday's court' proceedings centred. Being left a young and not unattractive widow, Florence took another ticket m the matrimonial stakes, but this time drew a blank, for her hubby No. 2, Arthur George Boardman, neglected his better half and failed to provide her with the necessary coin to keefo the household going, and Florence obtained an order against him for maintenance. Womanlike, however, she re-joined her defaultIng hubby, and, by. her own action, the order was nullilied and became of no force. ■.;';. Thereafter, another party came on the scene, m the person of Henry. Calvert, a young man about 30 years of age employed as chief cook at Coker's Hotel, Chrfstchurch, and he became very friendly with Florence and her 14-year-old daughter. Then the evil genius appeared m the person, of .Florence's jown brother, Edward Brown, a man whose "record" is decidedly lurid* as will hereafter appear. While Florence and Galvert were upon* most friendly terms, Boardman and 'Brown' were equally "thick" with each other, ..and the firstnaxned pair became the .deadly enemies of the second-nanied duo.' •■■ ' . Boardman and- Brown had, a bond m common. . ■..■■■ t . BOTH WERE. PROHIBITED, - but, It would appear, they had no difflr culty m obtaining as much liquor as they desired. v ■ -• Sinister rumors became current regarding Calvert's conduct towards Florence's pretty ; 'little daughter, and eventually Boardman openly accused Calvert of a criminal offence. Tnis led to Calvert Instituting a Supreme Court action for slander against Boardroan, but, when the case was called on,' It was withdrawn. by consent, each party undertaking to pay half the costs. Still the rumors were repeated, and it \ was stated that Brown was now , the slanderer: at least, so Calvert was In- | formed, and he naturally sought out Brown for an explanation. \ Brown was coming away from the > "Chapander" mission about 9.30 one evening, when the pair met; a conflict ensued. Brown got "ou ted." and this incident led to Wednesday's court proceedings, Brown seeking to have Calvert bound over . V TO KISEF THE PEACE. Mr. T. A. Bailey. S.M., presided. Mr. A. J. Malley represented Brown, and, Mr. R», T. Leathern represented Calvert. Brown's story was that as he came from the mission he was met by Calvert, who rushed 'at him and knocked him

down without any provocation and without giving any explanation. Under cross -examination, ho admlttod that Calvert had accused him of coupling his name Improperly with that or the child. Ho admitted having been convicted of drunkenness, assault and keeping a houso of HI -fame. Ho admitted being prohibited. He also admitted that hiß children had been taken from him and placed In a home In consequence of his conviction for keeping a house of illfame. Mrs. Brown (Florence. 1 * mother) «ald sho hoard her son calling out on the night In question, "I am being killed!" "Police!" and "Murder!" She really knew nothing about tho case. Calvert admitted having Hlruck Brown, but said ho had done so because Hrown had accused htm of immorUl relations with tho child. HB HAD HEARD THE HUMORS, and hud gone to meet Brown to ask him (or a» explanation, and had not Intended to wuuiuti him. only Hrown had provoked him by repeating the Allegation. He ha/3 never behaved Improperly to Die child, and a raodlca! man had examined her and had mated that »ho had not boon interfered with. Ills "Worship dlxmlMitx! the application, but allowed no toblk on cither side.