CAROLINE'S TEST-OUT

NZ Truth, Issue 508, 13 March 1915, Page 8

CAROLINE'S TEST-OUT

Not Brace's Bannockburn

"Smoodging with the Cook"

(From "Truth's" Christchurch Rep.)

Before Beak Bishop m the Christchurch S.M.s Court last week, Caroline Bruce sought a summary separation and custody of the children, from her husband, Thomas Edward Bruce; persistent cruelty being the grounds of the application. Caroline, a young, demure damsel clad m garments of ethereal blue, fringed with brown fur and m no way possessing .the appearance of a laborer's spouse, was represented by "Costs" Cassidy, whilst Mr. Donnelley kept an eye on things m the interests of the defendant, who appeared collarless and m his working, clobber. Caroline reckoned that Tom Ted had treated her shockin." Soon after they were married he commenced to dust her down, but had never given her such a rough house as he did ,a fortnight ago, when he blew homo with a few beers aboard. On that occasion he knocked her down and bumped her head. Then

CONSTABLE -EBS.ON (Mangaweka's John Hop). I'm, a gallant Copper-man, Tarantara ; And my eyes they upward scan, • ' Tarantara; iFor the stripes that sergeants prize I can see them m tho skies, And my arm is just the size, Tarantara; j When those «silver bars at last come i round my way, Though no doubt my feelings will be blythe and gay; Still my joy will tempered be At the thoughts of leaving thee, My Mangaweka by the Rangitikei'a spray.

she ran outside and he pulled her skirt off. As for maintaining her, why, he had only given her about three Jim during .the last six months. Cross-examined Caroline was not Jealous and had never told Neddy that she would forgive him everything if it were not for her supposition that he dossed at the Don restaurant one night under compromising circs. The defendant reckoned that on the Monday of the alleged disturbance ho had lost some horses, and whilst looking for them m the Halswelt district, dropped into the local pubbery and returned home a little the worse for liquor. Caroline greeted him with the Information that he had been to the pub nnd when he sagely kept his head shut, she said, "You've been smoodglng with the cook there I suppose." Ho resented the accusation and picking up a pickle bottle full of tea, squirted some of the contentsin her direction. Then the fun started. Caroline rushed at her husband, with fury blaring from her headlights, while hubby bolted for the bedroom and hid under the bed. But Caroline biffed him with the fire-shovel, until ho crawled out and scooted into the kitchen, where his willing wife bombarded him with plates, cups saucers and any old ammunition which came to hand. She carried his fortifications beforo her and Tommy Ted hurriedly retreated to the wash house but was routed and pelted sonic more. Finally, he negotiated a strategic flanking movement and ducked back to tho kitchen, where he entrenched himself so that when Caroline came within range, looking for more gore, he seized her arms and told her not to make a damphool of herself altogether. During the onslaught In the washhouse. Caroline put her hands up, m a fighting attitude and said, "Come on. I'm your Mohos!" Tom might have retaliated but he would never raise his hands to a woman, no matter how big the provocation might be, not he. 1 The S.M.: H'm, you don't mind chucking tea over one, though. That's

what started the whole row. isn't it?

Tom Teddy: Oh, no, the row was really started by her accusing me of smoodging with the cook. I don't like being accused of anything when Tro innocent. Continuing, Edward reckoned Caroline tripped over a swag and bit the dust, and when he stooped to pick her up, she lashed out m all directions with her number fours, so he tried to pull her into the house by the hem ,of her dress which came asunder. Before the row properly blew out, Caroline told him that she had money coming to her m a little while, and she reckoned she would be able to get along nicely, thank you, without hubby's company. After she went to live with ma, Thomas begged her to return to his buzum, but she wasn't having some. Replying to "Costs" Cassidy. defendant denied ever striking Carolina on the kisser or having chased her with a razor. He had been constantly working on his place m Christchurch, trying to raise a few spuds so that he, could give Caroline a nice present. Certainly she haa mortgaged her property for £50, of which £18 had been spent on the house, but that would be paid back all rlgnr. The S.M.: What are you earning? — Well, they can't be more than £2 a week. Yes, I'm still living m the house and have been since my wire left. * . ■ ■ The S.M.: It's a pity something cannot be arranged between you. You're a young couple and it will make it hard for a divided household to live on £2 a week. (To Caroline) : Won't you. go back to your husband. Caroline (emphatically) : No, I won't. Now look here, you're only a young woman and a -separation order practically means permanently closing the door to a reconciliation, and you've both got a long way to go yet. The defendant's conduct doesn't show persistent cruelty. I won't make a separation order. The defendant, however, will have to pay £1 a week towards the maintenance of the three children. "Costs" Cassidy wanted to know if the S.M. would make an order, giving Caroline the custody of the children. His Worship reckoned that the best course would be to allow the case to stand at its present stage. If the defendant's conduct justified It later on, the case could bo re-heard and custody would be given Caroline.