WIDOWS AT WAR.

NZ Truth, Issue 477, 8 August 1914, Page 3

WIDOWS AT WAR.

Farmer, Ammon's Amors.

Catherine Pots Sarah Jane.

(From. "Truth's" Dunedin Rep.)

Last month the Law Courts disclosed the rivalries of two dear widows, over the estate of Sammy Aifred Ammon, a once gay old hayseed, now, however, looking cynically down.! on this warring planet and his warring | wives from : the favored circle of the majority. Last Monday < the warring widows had another ."go'| as to which was legally entitled to the said Sammy Alfred's hoot. Catherine put m. an appearance and a very valuable and damaging affidavit; Sarah Jane did not appear, and consequently, was easily potted. She skied the towel— and that's as good as the knock-out. ' The- case concluded m Banco, before Mr. Justice Sim, and amounted to a -motion to make absolute a rule nisi for letters of administration to Sarah Jane Ammon, m the estate of Samuel Alfred Ammon, deceased. Sarah Jane Ammon was the plaintiff m the proceedings, and was represented by Lawyer Moore. Catherine Ammon, who claimed to be the rightful widow, having' Lawyer Cook. As his Honor took his seat, Lawyer Cook produced an affidavit, filed that morning by Catherine, the latter lady, herself being bodily present to back it up. The affidavit discloses THE WHOLE PECULIAR STORY and was not controverted by Sarah Jane. It runs as follows :-rI arrived m New Zealand m the ship Rakaia, m or about the month of December, 1878. The above named Samuel Alfred Ammon was a steward on the same vessel I -was married to the said Samuel Alfred Ammon on February 28, 18.80, at Christchurch, by the Rev. Clarke Praser, a Presbyterian minister, and a resident there; and I resided with my said husband continuously for 30 years, from the date of our marriage until -1910. We resided for the first few years of our married life m and around Christchurch, wherever he found suitable employment. Afterwards we went to . Wellington and later on to Auckland. In or about Decomber, 1886, I drew a section at Punakitere, m Hokianga, at a Government land ballot, and we went and resided on the section for seven years. We then acquired a block of land, 168 acres, at Taheka. Wo worked the said land and started a store and butchers-shop there, residing m the place 16 years. In 1909, we went to Auckland. My husband purchased a small property and store at Mount Albert, Auckland. I went into the hospital and was absent for four months, when I returned hon^e, and about 6 months afterwards my husband wont on a trip to England. He left New Zealand by the s.s. Turakina, about September, 1910, returning by the s.s. Ruahine, m August, 1911. The business of the store was carried on m his absence by my sons, Alfred John Ammon and William George Ammon. We sold out soon after my husband's return to New Zealand and we went to Tasmania. We resided for a short time m Hobart and purchased the Argyle.Ho^l, m Argyle-street, taking possession m December, 1911, and we remained there j until 1912. My husband had been drinking heavily at times during the latter years of our residence m New Zealand, but his drinking habits became more confirmed und continuous after we purchased the hotel. DIFFERENCES AND DISPUTES then arose between us, and owing to j the treatment I received from him, I left him m 1912, and sued for and obtained a separation order and a maintenance order against him. I remained m Hobart and took a situation as housekeeper. My husband was sold out of the hotel, under a judgment, and he left Hobart m 1912, landing at Dunediri. Shortly afterwards, 1 went back to Auckland, and I have lived with my children m New Zealand ever since. There were eight children of our marriage. I first became acquainted with Sarah Jane McQueenoy m or about April, 1912. She was then living as a widow :il Hoburt with three young children. The. youngest wns f° ur months old. She was an acquaintance of a servant employed by us at the Argyle Hotel, named Florence Charles. Sarah Jane McQuoeney came backwards und forwards to the Argyle Hotel to see her friend, and she struck up nn acquaintance with my husband. She hud never, to tht? best of my knowledge und belief seen him before. She became acquainted with him m Hobart. She hud resided at Hoburt with her husband to the time of his death. Her purents und two of lift' brothers resided m Hoburt, and one of her brothers was a postman, and the other a shoemaker. [ believe, the said Surah Juno McQueeney was receiving charitable aid at the time she becume acquainted with my huHbund. After I had obtained n separation order from my husband, und had 'left the Argyle Hotel, the mild Surah June McQueeney WENT TO RESIDE THERE with her three children. She remained there until the hotel wns Hold. Her three children were put In v home ut lloburt by the police. Who camp to New Zealand with my hunbund, und I believe they lunded at Dunedin. The suld Surah -lano McQueeney Is the Rome person us the above-named Surah June Ammon. Lawyer Moons Prior to this multer boinsc adjourned,- I Instituted certain inquiries In Auckland, and am now satisfied that Catherine Ammon 'was Samuel Alfred Ammon's wife, Consequently, my client hu» no claim on the estate. Some of the statements, however, m the affidavit were absolutely contradicted by Sarah Jane Ammon. Lawyer Cook: Sarah Jane has «eon Die afllduvlt ats filed and could be here ihla morning: to enter her denials If she so desired. His Honor tpurslrtg IH--* lips): The rule nisi will be Uncharged, with U guineas cosu» and disbursements. Dear Sarah June made a gallant uttack, but, nfter all, she wa« cually potted.