WHAT HE THINKS

NZ Truth, Issue 1228, 13 June 1929, Page 4

WHAT HE THINKS

Husband Cares Nothing Now For His Wife KOERBIN CASE ECHO

(F v rom'"N.Z. Truth's" Special Hobart Representative). /. • ' " . ~>| One of the most remarkable criminal trials staged m the Supreme Courts of New Zealand m recent years was the trial m Wellington last year, of Mrs. Marion Koerbin,. qn a charge of attempting to poison her husband. The jury found her guilty of attempting grievous bodily harm, the major charge not being sustained, and : she was sentenced to three months' imprisonment. On her release she went to Tasmania and has since ..': figured m the Maintenance Court m Hobart. ■ :;' : l^ ' --•■■'• /'•"' '' - . ' ;• • -*j

SOMETHING of a long distance record m legal actions is being, es- ; tablished m Hobart Police Court by the Koerbin couple. • In; ..the middle of. January Mrs. Marion Koerbin commenced suing her husband for maintenance and the cus-tody-of their two children. , Much of, the-.evidence.-given'. against- ■ her • was the evidence of her trial In New Zealand. . " Koerbin (represented by Mr. A. E. Richardson) entered a cross action for a separation. ' After several weeks of intermittent hearing by Mr. H. B. White, S.M., Mrs. Koerbin lost the case. Then Herbert Koerbin's action for. separation commenced, and has been as protracted as his wife's action^ The evidence was but. another repetition of the New Zealand case.' Mr. Chant (for Mrs. Koerbin) has now raised the legal poipts that a separation cannot be granted as . the cruelty which Koerbin alleges against his wife happened m ; New Zealand, outside the jurisdic- ;: ; tion of the . Tasmanian lawj.ihat .there has not been ■..'any"-', cruelty ( within "six months, and none at all Yin Tasmania. , . "•/• . i Acrimonious questions and answers' had passed be- __ — _^ ; ;

tweeri Mr. C. Chant and Herbert Koerbin,. who ,was under cross-examina-tion during • tw.o sittings of., the court. ■•■ '' \ ;. Mr. Chant: Have you known her to drink since she has ' been m Tasmania? '"JCoerbin: I have not^ been, m her company to know. : Did you stay away from home at night m New Zealand?—No; but I used to stay out all day to^ ge-t away from her company, and .came ho m c about 11 o'clock at night. v Have you any consideration . or affection for your wife ' now? — I

shouldn't, think so! I don't care two straws what happens to her! Don't you, want her to be treated as the mother .of' your children should be?— She has no right to see the children, as she has poisoned their minds freauently about me, nnd often iiitreated them, to which the children can testify. '.:.■.■ .• ■*■ . » Counsel: Well, put the children m the box! : Koerbin (heatedly) :. Don't you think they have suffered enough? It will

follow them all through their Mves. Have you stopped them getting.letters from their mother? — Yes. I've a perfect right to do so. You prevented her speaking to the children? — Yes, when they have been in..my company and. she has spoken ill of my sisters and me. Haven't you spoken disparagingly to the children, about your wife? — : I've told them she is a criminal. She has insultedl^hy sister. Mr. Chant: Did you throw any poison m the back yard? Koerbin: 1 have never handled poison. .. • • . , What about the supposed poisoned food?— Yes, I threw that out, and it killed three cats. Your wife has' complained about your conduct with other women? — Yes, she has this list few years. Mrs. Koerbin and the children, have seen you m the street with another woman?— Yea, she did, and accused her of being immoral when she is not of that class. . , Is it true that the woman you associated with was put out of her lodgings because of her loose conduct?— Jt is the first I have heard of it. Counsel: Have you been seen arm-in-n'rm with that

■woman? Koerbin : I ihay havo given a woman my aim m crossing the street. I For sonic years you have been' indifferent to your wife? — Well, 1 am trying- to get rid oC her now.- On previous occasions' I have ' taken her back after three mutual separations. Koerbin said he had done only a few weeks' work since coming is> Tasmania, at the hotel at?- " Swansea. He had suffered 111 - health for 18 months and was unable to work. Mr. Chant: You have a reputation for bad temper and

caused some trouble at the Royal Oak Hotel? . Koerbin: That was twelve years ago. A man attacked me and was fined m court for doing so. I have never been before a court myself accused of any crime. Dr. Ireland testified - that Koerbin was suffering from secondary anaemia that may have been caused by-poison-ing or other means. His ability to earn was reduced at least 50. per cent.