DOMESTIC UNHAPPINESS.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 19205, 23 June 1924, Page 11

DOMESTIC UNHAPPINESS.

THREATS OF MURDER ALLEGED,

SEP ARATION GRANTED TO WIFE.

A sordid tale of marital troubles which was commenced on Friday was concluded before Mr H. W. Bundle, S.M.. m the City Police Court on Saturday. Tho case was ono in which Violet Reid Boult proceeded against, her husband, Charles Stuart Gilbert Boult, claiming separation, mam tenauce, and .guardianship orders, on the grounds of persistent cruelly. _Mr B. >A Irwin appeared for tho complainant, and Mr J. 1.. Callan for the defendant. Complainant, continuing her evidence, said that defendant had a revolver and ho had threatened “to do” for them all. He had previously threatened that if he could not do for them with the revolver ho would get a rifle. He had ill-treated her, kicking her on the spine on one occasion—an injury irora which she was still suffering. This was about 5.30 a.m. on a hunday. She went to tho police station on that occasion, the following day defendant got hold of her clothing and carried it about town all day in a suit-case and handbag. She understood that ho had endeavoured to dispose of it, at a pawnshop in tho Arcade. Ho had also threatened to chop her up and throw the pieces on the Mil ness also gave instances of defendant’s cruelty and peculiarities. Wrangling also continued ihroughout. An agreement was reached between the parties, by which defendant was to go to the North Island for six months, complainant to pay his fare. Inis was subsequently altered, and defendant was to remain in Dunedin and the parties wore to tivo apart for three months. The idea was that at tho end of that period thev would be got together again. Defendant, in pursuance of that arrangement, went to a boarding-house, where he remained only a few days. lie was to p.ay in £2 10s per week towards tho maintenance of Iho children. He actually paid ono instalment, hurther disturbances took place, and the complainant left homo and had boon absent from her home since. Her health had suffered as a consequence. Mr Callan; Didn’t your husband say it was a pity that you unci he could not b« happy? Witness: Once he did Mr Callan; Do you think he meant it, or do you, think he was acting? Witness: He often acted. Continuing, witness admitted that her husband complained tint she did not tnko enough interest, in him. She did net know tho revolver was unloaded or that it was broken ' At this stage witness broke down, and the magistrate ordered that the next witness ' he called.

George M'inro Jones, bricklayer, now residing at Kaitangata, deposed to having been a. boarder in the complainant’s house, lie had to leave on account of the wrangling between the parties. The wife and daughters were afraid of defendant. 110 looked upon defendant as a moody, peculiar man.

To Mr Callan: Boult appeared to be a perfectly sober man. During the three months he was in the house there were four rows. He did not remember seeing Boult lift his hand to strike any of his Arnilv.

Margaret Boult, daughter of the parties concerned, deposed that she was working at home. For the past 1?. months, and while her mother had resided in Market street, there had been frequent disturbances in the house. A few days before the caso came on her father told her he wanted to patch things up, but he also said ho would murder her (witness) if she went against him in court. Witness corroborated her mother's evidence in regard to the revolver episode Her father also had a habit of locking her mother in a room, and witness had often to secure assistance to get her out. To Mr Oallan: Witness said she would bo about 10 years cf ago when her father wont, to the East. Sho denied that she took her mother’s part, except when she was in the right, and that had been tho case so fax. She had not seen a great deal of her father. Kcr mother had never lost her temper. Witness had never heard a word of affection from her father in respect of h(<r mother, her sisters, or herself; ho always called them mongrels. To' Mr Irwin: About six months ago witness was turned out of tho house by her father because sho’wont to tho assistance of her mother. Sho was perfectly sure that her father threatened to murder her, and he did so in tho presence of her two »lstora. William Allan, solicitor, gave evidence as to ilie property'transactions’of; the parties. Charles Stewart Gilbert Boult, defendant, denied striking bis wife or being cruel. Ho did say at one tirno that sho was ‘‘no good.” and that was because she took all his property and put it in. her name. To Mr Irwin: She was always growling. She refused to give him money, and on one •occasion sho rushed him with a stick. Witness denied speaking disparagingly of his wifo and children. He did not threaten to murder his although ho might have said ho would “swing” for her. They were all against him, and the children had been “schooled” by fbeir mother.

Tho Magistrate said lie was quite satisfied from the evidence of the boarder in tho house that there had been considerable trouble and (hat the daughters were afraid of their father. He therefore had no hesitation in making an order for separation on the grounds of persistent cruelty. The question of maintenance would bo decided after counsel for the parties concerned had conferred.