McNALLY'S MATRIMONIAL MESS

NZ Truth, Issue 725, 10 May 1919, Page 6

McNALLY'S MATRIMONIAL MESS

+ Biff, Booze, and Boodle A Dreary Anecdote of "Agony" Day. (From "Truth's" Christchuvch Rep.) One of the few', sprints run off on "Agony" day before Magistrate McCarthy was a flutter between David McNally and Johanna Theresa McNally. It was the usual "Can't live with him any more" from Johanna, and "I don't know why" from Dave. The latter reckoned the maintenance order m her favor was a bit on the large side, and should be trimmed down a bit, while, on the other hand, Johanna reckoned he had so cruelly ill-treated her, had such a fondness for "booze," and his money was as scarce as Bnowballs m Sheol, that she was entitled to a separation. Lawyer Purnell appeared for the lady, and Lawyer Flesher for McNally. Complainant, a .. young * woman, plainly but neatly dressed, said that her married life ihad not been a bad of roses. Before her marriage she knew McNally drank, but she threw m her lot with him. Six months after the wedding he began to ill-treat her, and when m his "playful" moods would try and choke her, call her filthy names, and on one occasion he varied his amusement by ■ ... • CHASING HER WITH AN AXE. On such occasions Johanna would sprint for dear life and take refuge with friends. Twice he had threatened her with a revolver, but he evidently was short of practice, or didn't pull the trigger, or load the gun, because she still lived. She had left him several times and gone back to him because of promises he made to reform. But instead of reforming he kept on performing. He did six months for theft, and afterwards went to camp, and left her with an allotment of 3s a day; besides which she got the separation allowance. She was still getting the latter, but David would pay her nothing himself. : To Lawyer Flesher: The trouble between her and her husband was not over religion. While he was away she had saved £98, and had spent the

remainder of her Income, which counsel said was between £3 and £4 a week. She did not spend money at the races, and. 'had only been to them twice m the last three years. She was not against him seeing the child .(now six years of age), but slie objected to his taking- the child out. When your husband left for the front you and he parted good friends? — We did not. Didn't you treat him affectionately? — I just kissed him good-bye. You promised toY send him little comforts? — I did not. Didn't you write to him? — Not one line. Or send him anything? — No. But you took ills money. Alfred Buxton, coal dealer, said lie remembered on one occasion hearing McNally tell his wife the occupation she was cut out for. THE " LANGWIDGE " WAS FILTHY, but witness did not remember when the occasion was or whether it was three or four years age. Marian Mavsden said, that when living m St.' Albans Mrs. McNally had on three occasions come to her place . to sleep. This would be about four years ago. George Alexander said that he and McNally were employed at E. Recce, Ltd.,- for about eight j'ears. Witness did not visit McNally's home except on one "occasion, m the winter of 1915. It was about 11 p.m. at night when Mrs. McNally and her child came to witness's house, and- from what she said witness arranged with his wife that Mrs. McNally should remain with her- that night; Next morning witness' called on McNally, who expressed sorrow for having caused his wife trouble, and later Mrs. McNally returned home. ■ To Lawyer Flesher: During the whole of the eight years witness had known McNally as a fellow-worker, McNally was always to be found at work, and there was nothing to suggest his being a drunkard. Mrs. Pearl Gorman mentioned two occasions on which complainant had come to her place and stopped. This would be about three years ago. Lawyer Fleaher said that m the faea of the evidence lie did not think it .would be. of any tise to put defendant m the box, although he would deny most of the allegations. Defendant had applied for a reduction m tVe order made .against him, A.nd,av^ed to have reasonable accesp to vAc child. To this the wife had ßeplied with an application for <*<va"i action, .etc. iCounsel said the . .? n"e had shown that she could w M ana could keep herself. While dtJpndant was on active s§s--* vice she W, d ;'saved /s&s-■%%% .*tfhen" receiving Trut £5 .tfter week. He did not. know,' b^ .. + £&ifeht that racing accounted for much of the money. His Worship said he thought the mother, could keep herself, and he would .make an . order for 17s 6d Weekly for the maintenance of the child, the husband to tfiave access to the child each week. The separation order , was •. granted.