"WORRY OF FAMILY"

NZ Truth, Issue 1273, 24 April 1930, Page 5

"WORRY OF FAMILY"

Friends Kept Him For Years (From "N.Z. Truth's" Christchurch Rep.) William Charles Rowse considering he should live no longer on the generosity of his friends, applied to a magistrate for a maintenance order against his five brothers. OIS brothers defended the applican tions, however, as they considered that he could support himself if he took on a light occupation. . Dr. J. P. Whetter, who was called to give evidence when the cases were brought before the court, stated that though Rowse's heart was weak he .should be able to do light work and earn sufficient to keep himself. Drinkl ing would affect him. The Magistrate (Mr. H. P. Lawry) : I think that a man should not come here and ask for maintenance if he spends money m drink. -Dr. M. Gray, a heart specialist,agreed with Dr. Whetter. Mr. Woodhead, counsel for Rowse, said, if his client took a prohibition order out against himself he would be debarred from attending the. lodge of which he was a member. However, if he could obtain maintenance orders against his brothers he would give up the lodge and take out a prohibition order. "His brothers say he has been the worry of the family for years," said Mr. Thomas, addressing the magistrate. "As long as he has a chance of getting money he will not work." The Magistrate: Liquor seems to be the cause of the trouble. Mr. Thomas: That is so, Rowse said his friends supplied him with money when he wished to get his hair cut or to buy small things like soap, hut he could not remember who those friends were. The case was adjourned for a few weeks, and, lintil it is brought on again, the brothers agreed to pay £1 a week between them.