THE OLD STORY

Pahiatua Herald, Volume XXXIV, Issue 10339, 10 September 1926, Page 3

THE OLD STORY

A SHORT ACQUANTAINCE WAR BRIDE'S UNHAPPY LIFE Electric Telegrapli—Press Association AUCKLAND, Last Night. The Chief Justice, Hon. C. P. Skerrett, heard an apjieal by Thomas Watson Arthur from the judgment o? the magistrate in granting his wife a separation and guardianship order on the ground of alleged persistent cruel by. The parties were married in England while appellant was with the N.Z. Expeditionary force. Annie Elizabeth Arthur said she had known her husband only one month when they were married in \1919. . His behaviour was peculiar. He used to lock himself in his cabin on the voyage to New Zealand and ignore her. After a reconciliation, siie complained to him of the obnoxious behaviour of a fellow-passenger. Her husband threatened the man with a revolver and he was placed under ai> rest. Witness detailed alleged acts of cruelty in New Zealand and said she ht.v to seek protection in the. home of Mr and Mrs f auder. The latter couple stated in evidence that Arthur called at their house in a. violent rage and demanded his wife and her clothes. He said im would truss her up like a fowl. Appellant, in evidence, gave a categorical denial of the wife’s allegations. Three of his brothers and two other witi esses corroborated his evidence. His Honour said he was satisfied the wife’s evidence had been sufficin'. tly corroborated and dismissed the appeal with costs. He referred the question of maintenance back to the magistrate.