CITY POLICE COURT

Otago Daily Times, Issue 21601, 23 March 1932, Page 5

CITY POLICE COURT

Tuesday, March 22. (Before Mr H. W. Bundle, S.M.)

TROUBLE CAUSED BY DRINK

A man 59 years of age, whose name was suppressed, pleaded guilty to a charge of attempting to commit suicide. —Sub-inspector Cameron said that the defendant went home the previous evening at 5 o’clock and apparently resented the fact that his wife had had a drink during the day. Some difference then arose. At 5 o’clock yesterday fnorning his married daughter went to the Police Station asking that a constable should be sent to the house, as her father had threatened to cut his wife’s throat as well as his own. On the arrival of the constable the defendant said that his wife was a drunkard, and drink was the cause of the trouble. He also said that he had taken a razor into the back yard and if it had been sharp would have cut his throat. There were marks on his neck. —The defendant said that he had had plenty of time to act upon his threat if lie had wanted to.—The sub-inspector added that he had suggested that as drink seemed to be the cause of the trouble both husband and wife should take out prohibition orders. The wife had refused to do so, stating that she did not drink to excess. — The magistrate: It doesn’t seem to be a serious attempt to commit suicide. — The case was adjourned while the probation officer (Mr J. Garbutt) discussed the matter with the parties.—When the case was recalled Mr Garbutt said that drink and bad temper on the defendant’s part was, no doubt, the cause of the trouble. He had suggested that prohibition orders should be taken out, and, while the defendant had been willing to act on the suggestion, the wife had refused. He was not satisfied that the wife was sober at present. —His Worship allowed the defendant to withdraw his plea of guilty, and adjourned the case for a fortnight to see what arrangement could be made in the meantime.

COMPLAINT FOR SEPARATION ORDER.

Arthur Ernest Liddicoat was proceeded against by his wife on a complaint for a separation order on the ground of persistent cruelty.—The complainant, in evidence, said that the marriage had taken place 29 years ago. For 20 years she had worked in the mornings and evenings. For some years past she had worked from 0 o’clock in the morning until 8 o’clock at night. She gave evidence at length with respect to her husband’s treatment of her, and corroborative evidence was given by Ellen Alice Liddicoat, a daughter-in-law of the complainant.—The ease was adjourned until April 4, arrangements being made that the parties should live apart in the meantime.