THE BREATH OF SCANDAL

NZ Truth, Issue 1081, 19 August 1926, Page 8

THE BREATH OF SCANDAL

Alimony Discussed Behind Closed Doors \ ■ ' - — > : (From "Truth's" Special Wellington Representative.) Mr. Justice Ostler agreed to hang up the judicial clothes-line for the washing of some dirty linen m private last week.

THE action, which was set down as. Harrison v. Harrison, was commenced as a Supreme Court case,.. but when 'it was suggested that there was "scandalous matter scattered throughout the affidavits" .and that counsel for the husband "could not possibly pretend to put the ease before the Court publicly if those affidavits are allowed to remain," it was agreed to take the , question of alimony m camera.

O Maud Harrison, who was championed by Lawyer D. R. Hoggard, moved for attachment for contempt m connection with a Court .order for payment to her of alimony by Walter Har-

rison, a well-known farmer, of Mara, near Martlnborough, m the Wairarapa. On behalf of Harrison, Lawyer A. W.- Blair moved to have certain affidavits struck out, and also to have the amount of alimony payable reduced. "This ,is a motion," \said Lawyer Blair, "to strike out certain affidavits

which contain a lot of irrelevant and scandalous matter," Mr. Hoggard: They have all been answered. . . Mr. Blair: They have not been answered.

His Honor: Is it important? Mr. Blair: Yes, your Honor. There is scattered about all through the affidavits matter relating to other persons which is,,hishly improper. His Honor: You mean the other woman? ' r> Mr. Blair: There Was a housekeeper apd. the wife' was insanely jealous of the housekeeper. There is soandalous matter scattered all through the affidavits. Mr. Hoggard reiterated that statements m. the affidavits had been answered. . • His Honor: Are not these matters relevant? One of the questions submitted is m the' nature of an application to reduce the amount of alimony. They all want to know what his earnings are. Are they not entitled to

see if any money is spent on this other woman? Mr. Blair: But it is not. Mr. Hoggard: But we suggest it is, It is either being spent on some other woman or on gambling. Mr. Blair: It is quite impossible for me to refer to these affidavits'without referring to these scandalous matters. • Mr. Hoggard: Can't we take it m camera? I have no objection to that course being adopted. I thought it would have been taken m camera. Mr. Blair: I hope it can be. Certain other members of the family are referred to m the affi- , davits, His Honor: What power have I to hold .the case m camera? Mr. Hoggard: It is a matter that can be taken m chambers and ought properly to be taken m chambers, • His Honor: Your sole ground is what is contained m the affidavits?

Mr, ±$lair: A cant possibly pretend to put the case before .the Court publicly if these affidavits are allowed to remain, and which contain a whole lot . of irrelevant inat--1 ter. There is only

cne question we are concerned to present to the Court— tha^ of alimony. His Honor: No, No!. There is the question definitely raised that his financial position is very much better than he has said it is; that he is spending money on this lady. Mr. Blair; It has never been suggested that he spends any money on any other woman. Mr. Hoggard:, A large sum. His Honor: It is suggested very plainly that he is still fooling about with this woman. Mr. Blair: No, your Honor, His Honor: Well, then, I have misread the papers. Well, I am disposed to take the question ' of alimony m chambers. I think we had better adjourn to my room. This was accordingly done.