EPIGRAMMATIC

NZ Truth, Issue 1198, 15 November 1928, Page 8

EPIGRAMMATIC

Legal Red Herrings

Across Trail

(From "N.Z, Truth's" Dunedin Rep,) If the marital affairs gf John MacKay and Annio May Allison BaUantyne, of South Dunedin, were not altogether a criterion of connubial glossiness, they were responsible for some wisdom from the lips of counoel involved, IJEARKEN to the aphorism of O Lawyer Alt Hanlon, the wife's legal gladiator m the couple's court arguments over a separation order; <'Np -.worse form of cruelty than irrepressible jealousy could be inflicted on a. good and chaste woman." And Lawyer Sinclair, at the hu§7 band's side^-"Obviously it is a wife's duty to comply with her husband's wishes; if he wishes. her to discontinue certain friendships, she should do. so.". John and Annie had a bit of a judiolal flutter about four months ago,

■i Annie's contention at that time was that her had failed to maintain herself and two children, and the net result of their wrangle before Magistrate" Bundle

was a sine die adjournment.

Back to the' maintenance court came John and Annie last Friday to hear what the magistrate had. to say after perusing Probation OiflcerQar--butt's opinion -of the. difficulties!, .;'' .

His worship's pronouncement that on the strength of the report and the evidence on the previous, hearing he was not; disposed to make a separation or'deiv though be might consider the matr tei 4 of ah order for maintenance, ". did not suit complainant's, counsel, who then and thex-e asked for the.application grounds to be amended to cruelty.

When asked by defending 1 counsel how cruelty could be brought into the complaint at this stage of the case, the wife's counsel flourished a newly-made skeleton key; which he claimed had been recently constructed by the defendant for the. purpose of harassing Mrs. BaUantyne m her bedroom.

„ Followed the aforemerittoriecl philosophic discourse and a further adjournment "until- November 16.