BARTERING A WIFE.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 19258, 23 August 1924, Page 11

BARTERING A WIFE.

AN EXTRAORDINARY CASE. (Pee United Press Association.) AUCKLAND. August 22. “This is a most extraordinary case,’’ said Mr Hunt, S.M., in delivering his rcscrvcu judgment in the Magistrate’s Court in respect of an application for a maintenance order made by Elizabeth Jane Barnes against her husband, William James Dix Barnes. The Magistrate said that in August, 1920, an arrangement was made by which defendant surrendered his wife to a Maori. The Maori paid defendant i4OO, and as the wife was agreeable defendant loft the house. Some clays later he returned and resumed cohabitation with his wife, and the Maori left. The parties then went to Wellington, where complainant subsequently gave birth to a half-caste child, Inch was taken by the Salvation Army. In October, 1922, complainant left her husband and took possession of the child. In February, 1923, she obtained a maintenance order against tho Maori, but very little had been paid under it. Since complainant left her husband she had maintained herself and her child, but she was now in ill-healih and in receipt of charitable aid. The husband was willing to provide a home for complainant on condition that she did not keep the child. The woman, however, refused to part with the child. ' . . Mr Hunt added: “I am of the opinion that the wife’s refusal is reasonable. The husband bartered her away to a Maori and connived at her adultery. Ho should not bo cruel enough to separate her from the child of whom she is so fond. Her health is bad. and she cannot perform household duties.” Defendant was ordered to pay maintenance at the rate of £1 5g a week.